Subnautica 2 Dev Reveals What to Expect From Upcoming Early Access 1.1 Update

Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds has revealed new content coming to the underwater survival game in the weeks and months ahead, teasing a new vehicle and new region centred around the Collector Leviathan as part of update 1.1.

Smaller upcoming updates will improve the currently limited Biomods system, adding more passive slots and new options for “deepening early-game survival strategies.” To improve the multiplayer experience, proximity voice chat, emotes, and expanded character customisation are all in the works. Unknown Worlds has indicated the popularity of multiplayer in Subnautica 2 took the team by surprise, so it’s playing a little bit of catch-up here.

But the most exciting additions are set for a larger content update (early access 1.1), which will add a new vehicle and a new region to explore centred around the Collector Leviathan. In a developer update, design lead Anthony Gallegos discussed the new region, which will contain new creatures, new resources, and will be progression and story driven. It will also add a new chassis, which “brings back one of the most requested player experiences,” Gallegos teased. “So, get ready to get stompy.”

That suggests a Subnautica 2 version of the Prawn suit, a bipedal mechanical walker from the previous game, which is sure to go down well with players. “Our goal is to let you jump in without having to start a new save,” Gallegos continued. “Rather, pick up right where you left off. I really think it’s going to be the scariest the game has been yet, and I can’t wait for you to try it.”

The announcement comes following the release of a hotfix that modifies the behavior of creatures in response to complaints about not being able to kill predators. Not being able to directly kill fish in Subnautica 2 is the game’s hottest topic, and while Unknown Worlds has promised to add “mitigation” to the game so you can better deal with predators, it will never allow you to kill them.

Earlier this week, we reported on fresh comments from Gallegos, who countered the narrative that Unknown Worlds set out to create a “pacifism game.” That, Gallegos told MinnMax in a fascinating new interview about the design of Subnautica 2, just isn’t true.

While the killing fish debate rages on, Subnautica 2 is a clear success. It has sold a huge 4 million copies since its early access launch on May 14, achieving more than 467,000 peak concurrent players on Steam — success Gallegos said took the team by surprise. Subnautica 2 has sold so well that publisher Krafton has reportedly agreed to pay a $250 million earnout to the developers — a bonus that was at the heart of its high-profile legal dispute with the fired Unknown Worlds leadership.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].