Subnautica 2 Devs Defend Non-Violent Design Amidst Player Pushback
Subnautica 2 developers are sticking to a non-violent gameplay approach, suggesting players seeking combat play other titles, sparking community debate.
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Unknown Worlds Entertainment's Subnautica 2 will feature a non-violent approach to gameplay, as explained by a developer. Separately, former Electronic Arts developers are launching a new NBA game, lamenting the decline of beloved sports titles.
Subnautica 2 devs say no to killing in their survival game, modders respond with add-on that lets you shoot fish anyway
Unknown Worlds, the developer of Subnautica 2, has stated a strong commitment to non-violent gameplay, which has been met with community discussion. Despite the developers' stance, players have already created mods that reintroduce the ability to kill creatures in the game. This design choice contrasts with other survival titles like Sons of the Forest.
Subnautica 2 dev says "go play Sons of the Forest" if you don't like its lack of violence
Developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment has stated that Subnautica 2 is not a combat-focused game, suggesting players who desire violence should play titles like Sons of the Forest instead. This response has caused community backlash, with some players expressing disappointment over the perceived dismissal of feedback regarding base defense and the game's overall design.
The Subnautica 2 fish self-defence debate rages on, as the game’s non-violent themes clash with player desire to fend off underwater threats
Subnautica 2's emphasis on non-violence, where players must evade rather than fight aggressive creatures, is causing frustration among some players who desire defensive options. While developers Unknown Worlds, including lead game designer Anthony Gallegos, are committed to this design choice, they are open to ideating on new ways for players to defend themselves without resorting to killing. This clash between developer intent and player desire for self-defense, particularly against smaller threats, is a recurring point of discussion within the community.
One country's Subnautica 2 fans "overwhelmingly" wanted to be able to craft weapons, but its devs "feel strongly" about continuing to avoid them
Unknown Worlds developers Anthony Gallegos and Scott MacDonald discussed the decision to maintain a non-violent approach in Subnautica 2, despite some player feedback from one country requesting weapon crafting. The studio emphasizes environmental cohabitation and adapting to the world over conquest, a core tenet stemming from the franchise's origins. While acknowledging the desire for self-defense, the team plans to address this through narrative means rather than direct player weaponry.