Thursday, July 10th 2025
Unknown Worlds Confirms Subnautica 2 Delay to 2026, Releases New Gameplay Trailer
As you know, we believe deeply in the open development process at Unknown Worlds. All of our games, from Natural Selection to Subnautica, have been fully committed to that process. The first phase of open development on Subnautica 2 was a series of playtests that recently happened behind the scenes with our community. We got some great feedback about Subnautica 2 during those playtests. The community was responding well to the environment, creatures, and story, and felt positive about the general direction of the game. It gave us a great indication that we're swimming in the right direction.
It also provided some insight that there are a few areas where we needed to improve before launching the first version of Subnautica 2 to the world. Our community is at the heart of how we develop, so we want to give ourselves a little extra time to respond to more of that feedback before releasing the game into Early Access. With that in mind, we've made the decision to delay Subnautica 2's Early Access release to 2026.
We're extremely thankful for the time the community has put into playing the game so far and answering our questions. We plan to continue running playtests to ensure that we're meeting even more of the expectations you all have for Subnautica 2.
Nothing is changing in terms of the direction of the game or the team behind it. We are confident in what we've created; we just want to give you a little bit more content for our first Early Access release.
We also want to showcase some of that confidence by giving you a longer look at some of Subnautica 2's gameplay. This is our first gameplay reveal teaser, and includes a glimpse at some parts of Subnautica 2 that we've been holding close to our chest.
Now that Subnautica 2 is coming out in 2026, we'll be able to add more biomes, more vehicle upgrades, additional tools, expand on our story, and include more creatures to discover.
We will also have lots more to share with the community in the coming months.
Our next Dev Vlog will come out a little later than intended, but we fully plan to continue providing you with information, content, and footage showcasing the work we're doing on Subnautica 2, right up until its Early Access release and beyond.
And we may have a few additional surprises as well.
As always, we want to thank you for your incredible and continued support for Subnautica 2. The game wouldn't be what it is without our community. And though it'll be in your hands a little later than we originally thought, we're looking forward to bringing you on the journey with us.
Keep Diving!
Source:
Unknown Worlds
It also provided some insight that there are a few areas where we needed to improve before launching the first version of Subnautica 2 to the world. Our community is at the heart of how we develop, so we want to give ourselves a little extra time to respond to more of that feedback before releasing the game into Early Access. With that in mind, we've made the decision to delay Subnautica 2's Early Access release to 2026.
Nothing is changing in terms of the direction of the game or the team behind it. We are confident in what we've created; we just want to give you a little bit more content for our first Early Access release.
We also want to showcase some of that confidence by giving you a longer look at some of Subnautica 2's gameplay. This is our first gameplay reveal teaser, and includes a glimpse at some parts of Subnautica 2 that we've been holding close to our chest.
Now that Subnautica 2 is coming out in 2026, we'll be able to add more biomes, more vehicle upgrades, additional tools, expand on our story, and include more creatures to discover.
We will also have lots more to share with the community in the coming months.
Our next Dev Vlog will come out a little later than intended, but we fully plan to continue providing you with information, content, and footage showcasing the work we're doing on Subnautica 2, right up until its Early Access release and beyond.
And we may have a few additional surprises as well.
As always, we want to thank you for your incredible and continued support for Subnautica 2. The game wouldn't be what it is without our community. And though it'll be in your hands a little later than we originally thought, we're looking forward to bringing you on the journey with us.
Keep Diving!
18 Comments on Unknown Worlds Confirms Subnautica 2 Delay to 2026, Releases New Gameplay Trailer
We're still playing Natural Selection 2, cuckboy!
The spinoff, Below Zero, is not very good, though. It's a few steps back from the original in ambiance (which is what made Subnautica so striking), with a very troubled development. It underwent a major change of direction during early access due to certain differences within the studio and some major staff changes. It's worth picking up on a discount, if you enjoy the exploration aspect of the original game. The "plot" of its story mode is worthless tripe that contributes absolutely nothing to the experience.
Subnautica is worth full price. Below Zero, 75% discount minimum.
It's over.
I played a lot Subnautica 1. Really one of the best games I ever played. Even better a free epic games giveaway but with windows DRM. No offline mode.
I will not buy my first steam game. DRM no, STEAM no. Even when it means I will not be able to play Subnautica below zero. I will definitely not go into the supermarket to buy a 50 € steam card. NOPE.
I had my interests for subnautica 2. Because of the repeated delays for over 2 years my interests are gone. Radeon 9070 also teased me and now i lost my motivation for it.
I played a lot of games, it's easily in the top 10% games that had me the most engaged in the experience. I did hear several times that the first one was better but "75% discount minimum" sounds fairly exaggerated to me (though I guess it depends how much it's being listed at in our respective countries, so there's that to account for)
I definitely plan on playing the first one, I already have it -thank you our Lord in the Valve Gaben for the all blessed Steam Summer Sales- I think I'll put it on the roster for my summer streams...just fanfuckingtastic.I mean, I'm not aware of the full context of this thing and "we" likely don't know all that much about about the whole thing but yeah, that seemed a little too easyI don't keep track of who makes what a whole lot but, as someone who loves FPS mostly for the guns themselves, I think putting guns in Subnautica would have been a huge disservice to the experience.
Below zero was a bit meh for many so i never bought it.
If and when this new one comes out i hope it is as good if not better than the first game.
www.gamesindustry.biz/krafton-addresses-leadership-changes-at-unknown-worlds-former-executives-file-lawsuit-against-publisher