Subnautica 2 will launch in early access on May 14, 2026, with a price of $30 in US dollars, though regional pricing will vary [1]. Buyers will only need to purchase the game once during early access to receive all future updates through and beyond the full 1.0 release [1].
Unknown Worlds is listed as the developer and publisher after Krafton was removed from both Steam and Epic Games Store pages [1]. Krafton had ousted three lead developers from Subnautica 2 in July 2025, resulting in legal battles between the leads, Krafton, and Unknown Worlds. The courts ultimately restored control of Unknown Worlds to those original leads [1].
The sequel introduces new gameplay features such as underwater currents and enhanced dynamic lighting effects with improved bioluminescence [1]. Lead gameplay designer Anthony Gallegos said, "One of the things that people talked about Subnautica and how much they liked it over Below Zero was that Subnautica felt a lot darker. The lighting feels much more dynamic. Bioluminescence pops in a way that it didn't before." [1]
Confirmation of the May early access release came in April 2026, ahead of this week’s scheduled launch [1].
The next key date is May 14, 2026, when players worldwide will get access to the early version of Subnautica 2.
