Unknown Worlds Confirms Subnautica 2 Delay to 2026, Releases New Gameplay Trailer

[GFreeman]

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!

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[LastDudeALive]

Not noted in the press release: Krafton (the parent company) has fired the founders of the studio, and delaying the game means they can avoid paying the studio staff $250 million in bonuses if it was released this year.

 

[Frick]

Not noted in the press release: Krafton (the parent company) has fired the founders of the studio, and delaying the game means they can avoid paying the studio staff $250 million in bonuses if it was released this year.

The people fired also say the game is ready for release, so ... that might be it.

 

[Dristun]

Not noted in the press release: Krafton (the parent company) has fired the founders of the studio, and delaying the game means they can avoid paying the studio staff $250 million in bonuses if it was released this year.

Indie studio lawyers were clearly no match for Krafton's when they worked out this deal, what a loophole, lol.

 

[ZoneDymo]

Indie studio lawyers were clearly no match for Krafton's when they worked out this deal, what a loophole, lol.

at some point I cant even be mad at the big crappy companies anymore if the "little guy" sets up a contract so easily broken...just braindead.

 

[TheGuruStud]

at some point I cant even be mad at the big crappy companies anymore if the "little guy" sets up a contract so easily broken...just braindead.

It's deserved after, "I'm a soy boy and won't make games with guns in them".
We're still playing Natural Selection 2, cuckboy!

 

[Prima.Vera]

Never heard of this game. Was the 1st one any good?

 

[blinnbanir]

Never heard of this game. Was the 1st one any good?

Subnautica gave me Motion sickness when I played it in VR. It could be considered a new Genre

 

[Dr. Dro]

Never heard of this game. Was the 1st one any good?

Good doesn't do it justice. It's amazing, and well worth the price of admission.

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.

 

[cinemaware]

I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the figures swirling around this deal. So apparently the 250 mil was a part of a 500 mil purchase of the Unknown Worlds. Payable on condition that their future games will be successful (not just S2). First of all, whoa, I know Subnautica was big (about 100 mil profit), but it was their only game, with gross revenue of ~120 mil, so paying 500 mil for this kind of studio seems wild, even if it's just 250mil up front.

 

[Frick]

Never heard of this game. Was the 1st one any good?

Literally one of the best games I've ever played.

 

[_roman_]

I think I read they changed management or sold the company or the game idea.

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.

 

[TheGeekn°72]

Subnautica gave me Motion sickness when I played it in VR. It could be considered a new Genre

Edge case, irrelevant review to give someone who never played it (especially since it's not the primary way to play it)

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.

I respectfully disagree, it may be because I didn't play the first game yet but Below Zero was, without exaggerating, one of the best titles I've ever played.
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...

Not noted in the press release: Krafton (the parent company) has fired the founders of the studio, and delaying the game means they can avoid paying the studio staff $250 million in bonuses if it was released this year.

just fanfuckingtastic.

at some point I cant even be mad at the big crappy companies anymore if the "little guy" sets up a contract so easily broken...just braindead.

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 easy

It's deserved after, "I'm a soy boy and won't make games with guns in them".
We're still playing Natural Selection 2, cuckboy!

I 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.

 

[Frick]

I respectfully disagree, it may be because I didn't play the first game yet but Below Zero was, without exaggerating, one of the best titles I've ever played.
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...

Below Zero is ... I mean it's kinda good I guess, and I did like the Seatruck, but yeah the reason you think this is 100% because that's the one you've played. And honestly you'll probably think BZ is better when you do play the original, if for no other reason the OG is a much more open experience. You don't play A Character, for one thing, as in a specific person with a specific personality and voice. There are essentially no cut scenes. Very few voice lines at all. Just you and the vast depths, much bigger than in BZ, and the things therein.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Not noted in the press release: Krafton (the parent company) has fired the founders of the studio, and delaying the game means they can avoid paying the studio staff $250 million in bonuses if it was released this year.

it was $225m for the 3 lead devs that called it quits and $25m for the rest of the studio staff.

 

[Steve-007UK]

I loved the first game and still play it now and again till this day.

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.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Drama ...

Krafton addresses leadership changes at Unknown Worlds, former executives file lawsuit against publisher

Krafton has issued a statement regarding leadership changes at Unknown Worlds implemented last week, claiming the devel…

www.gamesindustry.biz

"Suing a multi-billion dollar company in a painful, public, and possibly protracted way was certainly not on my bucket list. But this needs to be made right. Subnautica has been my life's work and I would never willingly abandon it or the amazing team that has poured their hearts into it."


Cleveland added: "As for the earnout, the idea that Max, Ted [Gill] and I wanted to keep it all for ourselves is totally untrue. I'm in this industry because I love it, not for the riches. Historically, we've always shared our profits with the team and did the same when we sold the studio.


"You can be damned sure we'll continue with the earnout/bonus as well. They deserve it for all their incredible work trying to get this great game into your hands."

 

[Dr. Dro]

I respectfully disagree, it may be because I didn't play the first game yet but Below Zero was, without exaggerating, one of the best titles I've ever played.

Self-explanatory, IMHO. Try the original and you'll see.

 

[Bomby569]

at this point this game is dead, it will be a disaster if they ever release it. RIP Subnautica