Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2018’s Subnautica, is delayed again, disappointing gamers worldwide. Various dramatic events happened within the game’s development, including former devs suing Krafton, the publisher, and several key people leaving the game.
Meanwhile, since it is delayed, the team is expected to add more biomes, more vehicle upgrades, and additional tools, and also expand the story and include more creatures to discover.
This article will be an all-in-one guide for Subnautica, examining its features, enhancements from previous versions, and providing reasons for the development delay. Without further delay, let’s get started.
Subnautica 2 Overview
| Developer | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Publisher | Krafton |
| Genres | Action-adventure, survival |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
Subnautica 2, the sequel to 2018’s Subnautica, is an upcoming action-adventure survival game set to release in early access in 2026. It is the third instalment of the series after the 2021 game Subnautica: Below Zero. Initially confirmed in 2022, the game has been in the making for three years. In Steam, it is the second-most-wished game, and is expected to launch on platforms such as Xbox Series X/S and Windows PC.
Why Subnautica 2 Early Access is Delayed?
According to the developers, they need time to integrate the valuable feedback they got through the playtests. Following the integration, the devs plan to continue the playtests. However, Krafton Inc., which acquired the game in 2021, had included in the agreement that a $250 million bonus would be given by the end of 2025 if the team achieves a specific revenue target. The current delay implies that the bonus will not be payable.
Meanwhile, the playtests are going well, with the community responding accurately to the environment, creatures, and the story. To the disappointed fans, the developers have provided some happy news by stating in a blog post that they simply planned to continually update the game for many years to come, just like the previous two Subnautica games.
They compared it to their Early Access update model, but expanded, emphasising that there would be no season passes, no battle passes, and no subscription. However, soon after the good news, some former employees filed a lawsuit against Krafton, increasing the drama
The Reasons for the Lawsuit Against Krafton
Krafton initially accused the Subnautica 2 developers, the Unknown Worlds Entertainment team, of abandoning the project. On July 1st, Krafton revealed that Unkown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, co-founder and creative director Charlie Cleveland, and co-founder and technical director Max McGuire have all left the studio.
The left people didn’t issue any statements, and Krafton didn’t say the reason for the departures, except for the statement that they abandoned the project. However, it is widely believed that creative differences and payment-related issues created problems between the creators and the studio. Krafton has replaced the left devs with Steve Papoutsis, a game developer with decades of experience.
Subnautica vs Subnautica 2: What’s the Difference?
According to the developers and testers, Subnautica 2 will have significant differences from the previous games in all aspects, such as setting, atmosphere, storyline, and characters. While it is also set in the alien ocean planet 4546B, a new environment will be introduced to enrich the gameplay experience.
According to the leaks so far, the game will be darker than the previous ones, with the inclusion of more intelligent alien life and a deeper narrative. Also, new vehicles like the Wakemaker and Hammerhead, as well as modular base-building options, will be added.
When Below Zero was released, it was praised for its sound design. Since Subnautica 2 delves into more detailed environments, we can expect enhanced audio design as well as advanced graphics.
System Requirements for Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2’s expected system requirements are provided below. Final system requirements will be confirmed only after the release to PC.
| Feature | Minimum | Recommended |
| OS | Windows 10 or later | Windows 10 or later |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 cores) | Intel Core i7-13700 / AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (8 cores) |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 1660 / RX 5500 XT | Geforce RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 5600 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection | Broadband Internet connection |
| Storage | 50 GB available space | 50 GB available space |
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Concluding Thoughts
Subnautica 2 is expected to offer a more complete experience than the previous Subnautica games, increasing the anticipation like never before. Good or bad, the lawsuit has made the game a point of discussion, becoming a trend again online.
Since the developers now have time due to the delay, they will likely rework the storyline and try to bring us one hell of a gameplay experience. Let’s wait and see.
