Subnautica 2 Finally Gets Early Access Release Date

Subnautica 2 yet has a factual merchandise day for its aboriginal access, and it’s precise soon.

Subnautica 2 volition participate aboriginal entree connected PC and Xbox Series X|S connected May 14, 2026, astatine 8am PT. The crippled volition outgo $29.99, making for a precise accessible terms constituent successful a crowded period for games. The deep-sea crippled volition beryllium released close earlier the highly anticipated releases of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and 007 First Light, but each crippled targets antithetic audiences.

“We’re excited for players to acquisition Subnautica 2, opening May 14!” said Ted Gill, CEO of Unknown Worlds, successful a property merchandise astir the day reveal. “Our squad cannot hold to perceive your feedback arsenic the crippled evolves passim Early Access.”

Subnautica 2 has had a agelong and bumpy roadworthy to release. The archetypal crippled was a astonishment deed that inspired the squad to instrumentality a batch of the halfway ideas and grow upon them for a sequel that besides features co-op multiplayer. It has been successful the works since 2022 and was targeting a 2025 merchandise date, but it deed a large snag past summer. Unknown Worlds leadership, including CEO Ted Gill, were removed from the workplace by genitor institution Krafton, which stated that enactment was moving connected different projects, distracting them from getting Subnautica 2 acceptable for launch.

The Gill and the different let-go enactment employees filed a lawsuit, alleging they were fired and Subnautica 2 was delayed due to the fact that Krafton didn’t privation to wage retired a $250 cardinal bonus for hitting cardinal gross targets successful 2025. Ultimately, a justice reinstated Gill and the enactment squad astatine Unknown Worlds successful March 2026 and stated that Krafton didn’t person a valid crushed for firing them. Shortly thereafter, it was confirmed that Subnautica 2 would motorboat sometime successful May.

Cade Onder is simply a freelancer for IGN's quality team. He covers each things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You tin find him connected Twitter @Cade_Onder.