Deep Dive Delayed: Subnautica 2 Now Targeting 2026 Release

Fans eagerly awaiting the next chilling adventure beneath the waves will have to hold their
breath a little longer: Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated sequel from Unknown Worlds
Entertainment, has been officially delayed to 2026. Originally slated for an Early Access release
in 2025, publisher Krafton confirmed the shift, citing a need for further polish and content
integration based on early playtests.

This announcement comes amidst a period of significant upheaval for developer Unknown
Worlds. Just prior to the delay, Krafton made headlines by replacing the studio’s original
founders and lead developers, including CEO Ted Gill and co-founders Charlie Cleveland and
Max McGuire. While Krafton claims these changes and the delay are solely for the sake of
quality and unrelated to financial incentives, the timing has led to widespread speculation.

Despite the controversy surrounding the leadership changes and the financial implications,
Krafton maintains that the extra development time will allow the team to deliver a more complete
and refined experience. Unknown Worlds itself has stated that the delay will enable them to
“add more biomes, more vehicle upgrades, additional tools, expand on our story, and include
more creatures to discover.”

Subnautica 2 is set to offer both single-player and co-op gameplay for up to four players. The
game will transport players to a new alien ocean world, built in Unreal Engine 5, promising even
more vivid visuals and thrilling exploration. While the wait has been extended, fans are hopeful

that the additional time will ultimately lead to a deeper, more expansive, and truly terrifying
underwater survival experience worthy of the Subnautica name.