Note: Subnautica 2 is currently in Early Access. Updates listed below are based on official Unknown Worlds announcements and community reports. All dates are subject to change.

Official Roadmap Overview

Unknown Worlds Entertainment released the official Early Access roadmap on May 15, 2026, outlining three main phases of development. The game launched on May 14, 2026, and has already sold over 2 million copies within the first 12 hours.

EA 1.1

Quality of Life Update

Announced - Release Date TBA

  • Sprint function enabled inside bases
  • More passive biomod slots
  • Blight encounter tuning
  • Vehicle docking refinements
  • Fabrication system improvements
  • New storage cache
  • Additional PDA databank entries
  • Voice log priority adjustments
EA 1.2

Co-op & Social Update

Announced - Release Date TBA

  • Proximity voice chat
  • Player emotes
  • Revive system for downed teammates
  • Avatar customization options
  • HUD system improvements
  • Upgraded base-building tools
  • Color-coded pinned recipes
  • Player trading system
Major Update

Content Expansion

Planned - 2-3 Year Roadmap

  • New biomes
  • Additional creatures
  • More leviathan class creatures
  • Fresh resources and tools
  • New vehicle
  • Second chapter of main story
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Latest Announcements

May 21, 2026

EA 1.2 Multiplayer Features Detailed

Unknown Worlds has released more details about the upcoming EA 1.2 update, focusing on multiplayer improvements. Key features include proximity voice chat, player emotes, and a revive system. The update will also introduce avatar customization and player trading capabilities.

Our Multiplayer Tips guide has been updated with detailed information about these upcoming features.

May 17, 2026

2 Million Copies Sold in 12 Hours

Subnautica 2 has achieved a remarkable milestone, selling 2 million copies within the first 12 hours of Early Access launch. Peak concurrent players reached 651,000 across Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox - nine times the original Subnautica's launch peak.

May 16, 2026

Official Roadmap Released

Unknown Worlds Entertainment published the official Early Access roadmap, detailing plans for EA 1.1 (quality of life improvements) and EA 1.2 (multiplayer expansion). A major content update with new biomes and story chapters is planned for later in development.

May 14, 2026

Early Access Launch

Subnautica 2 officially launched in Early Access on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Series X|S. The game is available for $29.99 and is included in Xbox Game Pass. The game sold 1 million copies within the first hour of launch.

March 2026

Legal Dispute Resolution

A court ruling reinstated CEO Ted Gill to Unknown Worlds after Krafton terminated him along with co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire in July 2025. Krafton's name has since been removed from the Subnautica 2 Steam page.

EA 1.1 Update Details

The EA 1.1 update focuses on quality of life improvements based on player feedback from the first days of Early Access. Here are the confirmed changes:

🏃 Sprint in Bases

Finally, you can sprint inside your base! No more crawling through corridors when you're racing back to the fabricator.

🔧 More Biomod Slots

Additional passive biomod slots will allow for more complex vehicle and suit upgrades.

📦 Storage Cache

A new storage cache feature will alleviate the frustration of hauling resources across vast oceanic distances.

🎮 Vehicle Docking

Refined vehicle docking mechanics will make base operations smoother and more intuitive.

📊 PDA Improvements

Additional databank entries and voice log priority adjustments will enhance the storytelling experience.

👾 Blight Tuning

Blight encounters are being rebalanced based on player feedback about difficulty.

EA 1.2 Update Details

EA 1.2 is shaping up to be the biggest multiplayer update in Subnautica history. Here's what we know:

🎤 Proximity Voice Chat

The most requested feature is finally coming! Communicate with teammates underwater without external tools. Range limits add tactical depth.

😀 Player Emotes

Express yourself with character emotes. Point gestures, waves, and alert signals for non-verbal coordination.

💚 Revive System

Bring back downed teammates with specific actions and resources. No more losing progress from death!

👤 Avatar Customization

Personalize your diver's appearance with suit colors, helmet styles, and accessories.

🤝 Player Trading

Direct resource exchange between teammates. Establish team economies and trade protocols.

🎯 HUD Improvements

Reworked interface with color-coded pinned recipes showing which materials you're still missing.