Fans eager to dive into Subnautica 2 will have to wait a bit longer, as publisher Krafton has officially delayed the game’s Early Access launch to 2026. Originally slated for late 2025, the highly anticipated sequel from Unknown Worlds Entertainment is being pushed back to ensure the developers can deliver “the best possible experience for players.”
In a statement to Eurogamer, Krafton explained that community feedback during playtesting helped reaffirm the game’s creative direction but also revealed areas that need refinement. “As community voices play a central role in how we shape our games, we’ve made the decision to give the development team more time to implement that feedback,” the publisher said.
The company emphasized that the delay is not related to financial or contractual issues, but is entirely about upholding quality. Krafton also clarified that the decision had been in the works even before recent leadership changes at the studio.
Development on Subnautica 2 began in 2022, with lead designer Anthony Gallegos previously describing it as Unknown Worlds’ “biggest, most ambitious Subnautica game ever.” While the delay may disappoint some fans, it reflects a growing industry trend of prioritizing polished experiences over rushed releases.
