Steam’s most desired game is set for early access release in May.
After ongoing legal issues, Subnautica 2 is finally preparing for launch. The game, currently the most-wishlisted on Steam, had been delayed due to a conflict between developer Unknown Worlds’ executives and owner Krafton. It will be accessible in early access on PC and Xbox Series X / S from May 14th.
Subnautica 2 was initially planned for early access in 2025 but was postponed to 2026, reportedly because of test feedback. However, the delay coincided with Krafton ousting Unknown Worlds’ heads, which occurred before a promised $250 million bonus tied to studio performance targets by late 2025. This bonus, intended to be shared with the development team, led to a lawsuit. In March, a judge restored Gill as CEO and extended the bonus eligibility to September 15th, as Kotaku reported.
Despite the turmoil, the Unknown Worlds team continued focusing on developing the best game possible. “We just kept making the game while all the legal stuff unfolded,” said design lead Anthony Gallegos. Fan support was critical in keeping the team focused.
Although Krafton was removed as the game’s publisher after the March ruling, it is co-publishing the game, Gallegos clarified. Krafton expressed support for the Early Access launch of Subnautica 2 to Eurogamer.
As an early access title, the team will continue updating Subnautica 2 post-launch. Expected updates every four to six weeks and major updates over several months will enhance the game’s content and features. Early access is projected to last “about two to three years,” said Gallegos, aligning with the timeline on Subnautica 2’s Steam page.
Following the early access model of its predecessors Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, Subnautica 2 will debut at $29.99, with a possible price increase during early access.
The extra time from the delay and legal challenges has polished the game. Scott MacDonald believes this version offers a more refined experience, making it more accessible to newcomers unfamiliar with previous games’ lore.