Subnautica 2 Devs Outline ‘Three Areas’ That Will Be Improved in Early Access

Unknown Worlds has released a letter to the community, addressing what three points they are focusing on in Subnautica 2’s early access.

Subnautica 2 seems to be doing really well in early access, with the title shattering the original game’s player peak count in early access and also selling 1 million copies. However, the game is still in early access, and a few issues need to be addressed, as noted by the developers in the new community note.

Subnautica 2 Devs Address Creature Balance & Behavior, Along with How They Address Feedback

Unknown Worlds has outlined three key focus areas for Subnautica 2: creature balance, creature behavior, and their approach to early access. First, the developers acknowledge that some encounters with predators can be more frustrating than thrilling or engaging. Additionally, they recognize that the available mitigation tools are often unclear, unreliable, or unsatisfying, making it difficult for players to effectively respond to creature attacks.

The developers plan to enhance this aspect of the game by adjusting creature aggression timing, aggro range, flare effectiveness, Survival Tool effectiveness, and creature interactions with vehicles and bases. These changes will be implemented gradually over the course of several upcoming patches, rather than all at once.

The next topic discussed was feedback from the community regarding early access to Subnautica 2. Players expressed a desire for “more direct ways to deal with hostile creatures, including the ability to kill them.” The developers recognize that this request stems from players feeling that current mitigation tools aren’t effective enough.

However, they emphasize that the franchise has always centered on themes of “vulnerability, exploration, and survival,” rather than traditional weapon-based combat, which is a key aspect of its uniqueness. Nonetheless, they acknowledge that this approach will only be successful if encounters with creatures feel fair, readable, and engaging, and they are actively working toward that goal.

The third and final point concerns the developers’ approach to Subnautica 2’s early access. They have emphasized that this process is not just about collecting bug reports; it’s a collaborative effort with the community. The team has acknowledged that not all suggestions will be implemented, but they are committed to listening to and understanding community feedback while providing respectful explanations for their decisions. Additionally, a series of improvements addressing community concerns is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

In other news, in a message on Discord, an Unknown Worlds developer fired back at comments about Subnautica 2 lacking killing mechanics. Additionally, Unknown Worlds revealed the Subnautica 2 Early Access roadmap, teasing co-op upgrades, new biomes, vehicles, and story content. What are your thoughts on Subnautica 2 developers’ focus for early access? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.

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