Subnautica 2: early access and publishing drama

The long-awaited follow-up to the hit survival game Subnautica, titled Subnautica 2, is set to reach players in early access sooner than expected. Early access will begin on May 14, 2026 for both PC and Xbox Series X|S. Alongside the date, the game’s price has also been revealed: $30. That purchase will grant players permanent access to the game, including updates and additional content after the official launch.

Publishing questions

Despite the legal issues between developer Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton, it has been stressed that Krafton is still co-publishing the game. Krafton was recently removed from Subnautica 2’s Steam page, sparking speculation about its role. However, the Unknown Worlds team has confirmed that Krafton remains involved in the game’s promotion and publishing. That point was reinforced by creative media production staffer Scott MacDonald, who emphasized the importance of the partnership.

No generative AI used

One notable detail about Subnautica 2’s development is that no generative AI was used, despite Krafton’s publicly stated ambitions as an “AI-first” company. MacDonald and design lead Anthony Gallegos have confirmed that the game was built entirely using traditional development methods. That means human developers are responsible for every aspect of the game, from creatures to gameplay systems.

Conclusion

With Subnautica 2’s early access announcement now on the horizon, players are eagerly looking forward to diving back into Unknown Worlds’ challenging underwater world. Despite the legal complications with Krafton, the team remains focused on delivering a high-quality game that was created entirely by hand, without generative AI.