Subnautica 2is one to look forward to in the survival genre, and its early access period is going to begin soon. This won’t just be a way to get into the game ahead of its full release though – the developers want to hear your requests for features, and some great ideas are already surfacing.
In a dev vlog posted to theSubnauticaYouTube channel,Subnautica 2design lead Anthony Gallegos revealed that Unknown Worlds Entertainment expects early access to begin soon, sometime in 2025. He went on to reveal that early access is a chance for players to shape the future of the game, and specifically asked for fans to let the development team know what features they want to see. One popular request has already been made: proximity chat, with radios to communicate over distance while playing online.
Subnautica 2 Fan Suggests Extremely Popular Feature Idea
Proximity Chat & Radios
The top comment on the announcement video is from YouTube user knuckleheadwestwind3585, who says, “A personal wish of mine is to have proximity chat in multiplayer, with options such as radios to communicate from a distance.” At the time of writing,the comment has over 12,000 likes, a clear sign that the community is eager for such a featureto be implemented inSubnautica 2.Multiplayer isSubnautica 2’s biggest featureso far, considering the original game and its spin-off,Below Zero, were single-player only.
This suggestion is so popular likely becauseit makes perfect sense for the type of experienceSubnauticaoffers. The series is incredibly immersive, and getting lost and isolated in the ocean’s dark depths is part ofSubnautica’s creepy appeal; universal voice chat would compromise that. Having proximity chat is a great way to keep the spirit of the game alive, with radios as an in-world tool for players to take advantage of. Those who don’t wish to use such restrictions could just opt for a third-party voice chat client or use their console’s party chat features.
Subnautica 2 Enters Early Access This Year
No Exact Date Given
While it’s not necessarily new information, Unknown Worlds reiterating the intent forSubnautica 2to enter early accessin 2025 is a promising sign. The game was officially revealed in October 2024, with early access slated for 2025, but the risk of delay is always there. It’s great to see the timeline remain intact, andthere’s very little reason to be apprehensive about an early access release forSubnautica 2. Unknown Worlds released the originalSubnauticaandBelow Zerointo early access to get feedback mid-development as well, and they both turned into highlights of the survival genre.
This video officially setsSubnautica 2on “the road to early access” and Gallegos promises that players who opt into early access will be the first to experience new additions to the game, including biomes, vehicles, and leviathans, the series' massive underwater creatures. Players are already voicing their requests, and they’re likely to helpSubnautica 2become just as beloved – if not more so – than the cherished original.
