‘Subnautica 2’ Dives Into Early Access This May

While the title says “2,” this is actually the third game in the beloved franchise, following the original Subnautica and its standalone expansion, Below Zero. This time, the developers are leaving Planet 4546B behind and dropping players onto a completely uncharted alien world.

The biggest addition to the formula is official multiplayer. For the first time in the series, you do not have to explore the dark, crushing depths by yourself. Subnautica 2 introduces drop-in co-op support for up to four players. You can team up with your friends to construct sprawling underwater bases, manage scarce resources, and desperately swim away from massive leviathan-class predators.

The Early Access version will cost $30 on Steam and Xbox. Purchasing the game now secures your access forever, including all future updates and the eventual 1.0 launch. Unknown Worlds estimates that the game will remain in early access for at least two years as they gather community feedback to refine the experience.

Surviving Publisher Drama and Legal Battles

Reaching this May 14 release date was not easy. The game’s development faced severe corporate turbulence over the past year. Krafton, the gaming giant that purchased Unknown Worlds back in 2021, found itself locked in a nasty legal dispute with the studio’s top executives.

The conflict centered around a massive $250 million bonus. The original buyout contract stipulated that Unknown Worlds staff would receive this payout if they hit specific revenue targets by 2025. However, Krafton allegedly delayed the early access release of Subnautica 2, making those targets impossible to reach. Court documents even claimed that Krafton’s CEO consulted ChatGPT for advice on how to legally avoid paying the developers.

Fortunately for the creators, the legal system stepped in. A judge ruled against Krafton, forcing the company to rehire fired CEO Ted Gill. The court also extended the revenue window for the developers until 2027, giving them a fair chance to earn their massive bonus. Following the ruling, Unknown Worlds and Krafton agreed to co-publish the title moving forward.

Steam’s Most-Wishlisted Game

Corporate chaos clearly has not dampened player excitement. Right now, Subnautica 2 holds the impressive title of the most-wishlisted game on Steam. The original game built a massive, dedicated community by perfectly blending relaxing exploration with sheer, heart-pounding terror. Fans are incredibly eager to see how the new co-op mechanics change that iconic gameplay loop.

The first Subnautica spent three full years in early access. During that time, the developers worked closely with the community to shape the story, balance the survival mechanics, and introduce new biomes. Unknown Worlds plans to take the exact same collaborative approach this time around.

Make sure your schedule is clear on May 14. Grab your digital flippers, convince a few friends to join your diving crew, and get ready to face whatever lurks in the dark waters of Subnautica 2.