When does Subnautica 2 Early Access start?
May 14, 2026 at 08:00 PDT (15:00 UTC). Not a midnight release. For Japan and eastern Australia that lands after midnight on May 15.
Official launch info
Subnautica 2 Early Access
Everything you came here to find now that the May 14 launch has happened: date, price, platforms, what's actually in the build, and where things stand on Game Pass and crossplay.
Release date
May 14, 2026
08:00 PDT / 15:00 UTC
Price
$29.99 USD
Early Access launch price
Modes
Solo + co-op
Up to 4 players online
Platforms
PC + Xbox
No PS5, no Switch at launch
What Subnautica 2 Early Access actually means
The May 14 build is the starting point, not the finished game. You get a working core: exploration, scanning, crafting, base building, 4-player co-op. More biomes, creatures, vehicles, and story arc land in patches across the EA window. The original Subnautica spent four years in Early Access before its 1.0, so plan for a long arc rather than a six-month sprint.
The headline confirmed pieces of the launch build are documented on Confirmed Roster (May 14, 2026): planet Luca, the CICADA colony ship, four biomes, the Collector Leviathan, the Tadpole Submersible, DNA modification, sculptural base building, and ocean currents that physically push you off route.
Sparse Plains, Graveyard, Thermal Spires, and Plateaus biomes
5 confirmed creatures including 2 Leviathan-class entities
Tadpole Submersible as the first confirmed player vehicle
DNA Modification, sculptural base building, and ocean currents
Solo and 4-player co-op with crossplay across PC and Xbox
Subnautica 2 official sources
- Unknown Worlds release date announcement
- Unknown Worlds launch events
- Unknown Worlds gameplay trailer update
- Unknown Worlds launch week gift
- Unknown Worlds Twitch Drops guide
- Steam store page
- Steam community announcements
- Xbox Wire Game Preview announcement
- Xbox Game Pass May 2026 wave
- Unknown Worlds system requirements
- Unknown Worlds Early Access roadmap
- Unknown Worlds Dev Vlog: Swimming Forward
- Unknown Worlds community letter
- Unknown Worlds Early Access Hotfix 1
- Unknown Worlds Early Access Hotfix 2
- Unknown Worlds Early Access Hotfix 3
Subnautica 2 launch topics
Confirmed roster
Biomes, creatures, vehicle, mechanics — May 14 timestamp.
Launch planner
Platform choice and first-session checklist.
Download
Storefronts and access options.
Game Pass
Game Preview and subscription access.
PC requirements
Minimum and recommended specs.
Multiplayer
Co-op and cross-platform notes.
Luca's confirmed biomes
Sparse Plains, Graveyard, Thermal Spires, Plateaus.
Early Access baseline
Track what exists now and what expands later.
Frequently searched Subnautica 2 release questions
How much will Subnautica 2 cost at launch?
$29.99 USD on Steam, Epic, and Xbox. Unknown Worlds has warned the price will go up once the game leaves Early Access, so the EA window is the cheapest entry. Included with an active Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription at no extra charge.
Does Subnautica 2 support co-op?
Yes, up to 4 players online. Solo play is also a full option. No split-screen, no couch co-op.
Does Subnautica 2 support cross-platform multiplayer?
Yes. Official listings point to cross-platform multiplayer across Steam, Epic, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally, and Game Pass. PS5 and Switch are not in the game at all, so friends on those platforms cannot connect.
Is Subnautica 2 on Game Pass?
Yes. Day-one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass as a Game Preview title. Game Preview is Xbox's name for early access, which means expect updates and rough edges throughout the EA period.
Which platforms are confirmed for launch?
Steam, Epic, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally, Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass. No PlayStation, no Nintendo. PS5 and Switch are not listed by Unknown Worlds or any official storefront.
Reviewed .
Where to go after the launch hub
The next decisions, in rough order of urgency.