Subnautica 2: the ultimate digital treasure hunt

On May 14, players dive back into the enchanting, bioluminescent waters of Subnautica 2. The game follows the tried-and-true formula of its predecessor: players plunge deep, scan the ocean floor, and collect strange, glowing alien minerals to upgrade their gear and build massive underwater bases. This gameplay delivers the ultimate sci-fi treasure hunt.

The technology behind the game

While millions of gamers explore these fictional oceans through Game Pass, a fascinating treasure hunt is taking place at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean at the same time, powered by the same technology we use to game.

The demand for critical metals

The world is currently in an unprecedented technological boom. The scale of what’s being built is immense. From electric vehicles quietly taking over our streets to powerful cooling systems and haptic motors in the latest generation of consoles, demand for critical metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper has far outpaced traditional supply chains.

The need for these materials is being further amplified by the rise of energy-hungry AI data centers appearing around the world. Tech and energy industries have concluded that the ultimate solution to this shortage isn’t on land, but in the dark abyss of the ocean.

Polymetallic nodules

In particular, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a vast underwater expanse, holds an unimaginable wealth of raw materials. On the muddy ocean floor, trillions of polymetallic nodules can be found. These bizarre geological formations, which look like burnt potatoes, formed over millions of years and contain metals absorbed from the surrounding seawater.

Maritime technology in practice

Marine engineering companies are using advanced technologies to extract these minerals. Traditional mining equipment is being replaced by enormous, sophisticated robotic submarines and deep-sea ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). These million-dollar robots are lowered thousands of meters into the dark ocean to vacuum these nodules straight off the seafloor.

A good example of this technology is the Patania II, a deep-sea collector developed by the Belgian marine engineering firm Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR). The control rooms for these operations have an aesthetic reminiscent of professional Twitch streaming setups; pilots often use commercial game controllers and multi-monitor systems to carry out their work.

Gamification of deep-sea mining

The line between controlling heavy machinery and gaming is becoming increasingly blurred. The controls for these deep-sea missions are becoming more accessible thanks to the user-friendly technology we see in video games. That raises an interesting question: while players dive into Subnautica 2, is it possible that the hardware they’re playing on contains minerals collected by someone using the same controller inputs?

With every expedition through the oceans of Subnautica 2, players can enjoy a dual journey of discovery: both in the fictional world and in the real-world deep-sea minerals beneath our planet.