Subnautica
News, coverage and analysis tracking Subnautica across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Subnautica is free to play this weekend, and the subaquatic survival all-timer has a hefty discount to boot
Subnautica is available to play for free this weekend until April 6th, with both the original game and Subnautica Below Zero receiving a 75% discount, bringing their price down to $7.49 / £6.49. This promotion coincides with the ramp-up of marketing for Subnautica 2, which is set to enter early access in May.
Former Overwatch lead Jeff Kaplan has "over 5,000 hours" in Rust and calls it "the pinnacle of PvP games," but his own survival game takes cues from World of Warcraft
Former Overwatch lead Jeff Kaplan expressed his deep admiration for Rust, calling it the "pinnacle of PvP games" after accumulating over 5,000 hours of playtime. While his new survival game, The Legend of California, draws inspiration from the genre, it will focus more on base-building and open-world multiplayer elements reminiscent of World of Warcraft, rather than Rust's intense PvP.
Subnautica 2's Voices from Beyond videos are giving us a much more detailed look at the story than we first thought
Unknown Worlds has released the final video in their 'Voices from Beyond' series, offering a detailed look into the story of Subnautica 2. This series provides a more in-depth narrative than initially perceived.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sales top 2 million | News-in-brief
New Alinea Analytics estimates suggest Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has sold over 2 million copies, with 425,000 units sold in its first week on PC. In separate news, Krafton is shutting down its free-to-play PC spin-off PUBG Blindspot after only two months in Early Access, citing an inability to sustainably provide the intended player experience.
Every Game Getting "Switch 2 Edition" Enhanced Versions
Nintendo is releasing "Switch 2 Edition" enhanced versions of numerous existing and upcoming Nintendo Switch games, alongside new titles for the Nintendo Switch 2. Many of these enhanced versions offer upgrades such as improved resolution, frame rates, and new features, with some available as paid upgrades for existing owners. Free updates will also be provided for some titles, and specific Zelda titles will offer free upgrades to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.
The New PUBG Game Is Closing After Less Than 2 Months
Krafton's free-to-play spin-off game, PUBG: Blindspot, developed by ARC Team, will shut down on March 30, less than two months after its early-access launch. The 5v5 tactical shooter failed to attract a sustainable player base. ARC Team plans to regroup and develop new experiences in the future.
Former Overwatch lead Jeff Kaplan says he wants to put "Rust-like mechanics" in his new survival game "someday," but for now base-building is more like "Valheim and Subnautica"
Jeff Kaplan, former lead of Overwatch, is developing a Wild West survival game called The Legend of California with his studio Kintsugiyama. While he intends to add Rust-like PvP mechanics to optional servers in the future, the current base-building system is more akin to Valheim and Subnautica, focusing on utility and aesthetics rather than defense.
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest celebrates 27 years and a lawsuit settlement in its favor
EverQuest celebrated its 27th anniversary with a lawsuit settlement that favors Daybreak Game Company, keeping emulators offline. This week also saw layoffs at Amazon for Lost Ark developers, Facebook scaling back VR metaverse ambitions, and discussions around various MMORPG updates and industry trends.
Subnautica 2 chief says Krafton is still messing with him, because the May release date announcement was news to him and…
Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill has expressed concerns regarding Krafton's announcement of Subnautica 2's May early access release, stating it was news to him and potentially sabotaged marketing efforts. This follows a legal battle where a judge ruled in favor of Gill, reinstating him as CEO and extending an earnout deadline, which Krafton's announcement seemingly disregarded.
More Subnautica 2 legal trouble brewing amid claims Krafton "intentionally leaked" May release without consulting reinstated CEO
Legal troubles are escalating for Subnautica 2 as developer Unknown Worlds' reinstated CEO Ted Gill accuses publisher Krafton of intentionally leaking a May early access release date without consultation. Krafton, which acquired Unknown Worlds in 2001, is accused of breaching an equity purchase agreement by terminating key employees and improperly seizing operational control. A judge had previously ruled in favor of Gill, reinstating him with full authority over the studio and the game's release.
Issues and Activism
The CEO of the studio behind Subnautica 2 claims publisher Krafton unilaterally set the game's release date without their consent. This decision has led to internal disputes regarding the game's launch timing.
Subnautica 2 Drama Continues With Early Access Release Window Challenge
Unknown Worlds co-founders Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire are objecting to Krafton's announcement of a May Early Access release window for Subnautica 2, alleging it was improper and risks damaging the game. Lawyers for the co-founders claim Krafton's announcement was "self-serving" and that Ted Gill should have been the one to determine the release timing and marketing. Krafton maintains its announcement was not improper, while a judge has ruled that Ted Gill must be reinstated as head of Unknown Worlds.
Reinstated Subnautica 2 leadership say Krafton's release date announcement is "further damaging the game and…
The reinstated leadership of Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds has criticized publisher Krafton's premature Early Access release announcement. Returning CEO Ted Gill stated that Krafton's announcement, made without community coordination or regard for the game's development, is "further damaging the game." Krafton maintains that the announcement was not improper and that Gill retains full authority over release plans.
Unknown Worlds co-founders' lawyers accuse Krafton of "intentionally leaking" Subnautica 2 release date
Lawyers for Unknown Worlds co-founders Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire have accused Krafton of intentionally leaking a memo regarding the early access release date for Subnautica 2. The lawyers claim Krafton disregarded a court judgment by allowing former CEO Steve Papoutsis to announce the May release, undermining Gill's authority and the game's community coordination.
Subnautica 2 execs call out Krafton’s launch memo as a ‘self-serving’ leak and contempt of court
Unknown Worlds attorneys have filed a letter asking a vice chancellor to find Krafton in contempt of court over the announcement of Subnautica 2's early access launch. They argue that Krafton's CEO, Steve Papoutsis, lacked the legal authority to make the declaration, which they claim was an intentional leak designed to circumvent the court's order reinstating Ted Gill and was made without regard for the game or community.
After losing court battle and having to reinstate Subnautica 2 CEO, Krafton invests in $1B fund with South Korean missile manufacturer – #justsaying
Krafton has announced a strategic partnership with South Korean defense company Hanwha Aerospace to invest in a $1 billion fund focused on developing and commercializing technology across various sectors, including defense. The collaboration will leverage Krafton's expertise in game data and physics-based virtual worlds to advance physical AI software and its real-world applications.
IOI Partners disowns MindsEye, Krafton collabs with arms dealer, and more cuts at Ubisoft - Patch Notes #44
Several major gaming companies faced significant news this past fortnight. IOI Partners disowned the game MindsEye, Krafton announced a $1 billion partnership with a defense firm while simultaneously losing a lawsuit, and Ubisoft underwent restructuring leading to layoffs and the closure of Red Storm Entertainment's game development. Additionally, unionized game workers are petitioning for immigrant protections, Pokemon Pokopia achieved strong sales, and Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology faced backlash from developers.
Subnautica 2's early access release date was "self-servingly" leaked by Krafton, "further damaging the game", claim lawyers for reinstated Unknown Worlds CEO
Lawyers for Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill accuse Krafton of intentionally leaking the early access release date for Subnautica 2, damaging the game and community. Krafton's lawyers deny this, stating the memo merely celebrated employee efforts and does not alter Gill's authority over the release schedule. The legal dispute continues amidst ongoing discussions about the game's launch window.
Subnautica 2 Studio CEO Calls Out Krafton for Improperly Announcing Early Access Launch Date
A dispute has arisen regarding the announced May Early Access launch date for Subnautica 2, with developer Unknown Worlds' CEO alleging that publisher Krafton improperly announced the date. Lawyers for Unknown Worlds claim Krafton's announcement was "self-serving" and caused confusion, while Krafton defends the announcement as a celebration of development milestones. The legal situation stems from a previous judgment concerning Krafton's actions towards Unknown Worlds leadership.
Reinstated Subnautica 2 Dev Says Krafton's Release Date Announcement Was Potentially "Damaging"
The legal battle between Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds and its parent company Krafton continues, with Unknown Worlds' reinstated CEO Ted Gill alleging Krafton's premature release announcement for the game's early access was damaging. Krafton's lawyers dispute this, stating the announcement was merely conveying milestone review results. The dispute also involves a significant financial bonus tied to the game's release dates.
