The next Subnautica entry, referred to as Subnautica 2 in Krafton’s latest earnings report, will adopt a game-as-a-service (GaaS) model, according to the same document. This is a big shift from the original Subnautica and its sequel Subnautica Below Zero, which were both traditionally contained survival games with a big focus on their narrative and lore.
South Korean video game giant Krafton acquired Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment in October 2021. This was after the full release of Subnautica Below Zero earlier that year. So, Subnautica 2 would be the first game in this series that would be coming out after the acquisition.
According to the report, Subnautica 2 is a “multiplayer sequel to the original IP” with a GaaS model. The Unreal Engine 5-powered game will feature a co-op mode of up to 4 players apart from single-player. Additionally, it is among Krafton’s ‘Strategic Titles for 2024’. So, the game is coming out sooner than its previously expected 2025 release window which was mentioned in Krafton’s Q3 2023 earnings report (thanks PCGamer).
The live service pivot for Subnautica 2 will surely be a point of contention for existing fans of the series. As such, chasing the live service trend has already caused many disappointing game releases, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League being one of the more recent examples. Now, it’s to be seen whether Subnautica 2 meets the same fate.
