Next Subnautica Game Is Not A Live-Service Title, Dev Says

Unknown Worlds has revealed that the next Subnautica game will not be a live-service game, despite some earlier reports claiming that it was.

“In reference to ‘Games-as-a-Service,’ we simply plan to continually update the game for many years to come, just like the previous two Subnautica games,” Unknown Worlds said in a statement on its website. “Think our Early Access update model, expanded. No season passes. No battle passes. No subscription.”

The studio clarified that players can enjoy the game as a single-player experience. While there is co-op, it is an entirely optional way to play. It also seems like the game will not launch until 2025 at the earliest, as early access is not planned for 2024. However, Unknown Worlds will provide more information later this year.

The claims that the next Subnautica game would be a live-service title seems to have come from an older version of Krafton’s earnings documents. What looks to be a now amended version of the earnings document uploaded to Krafton’s investor site does not include the mention of games-as-a-service.

Back in 2022, Unknown Worlds announced that it was working on a new Subnautica game.

Subnautica: Below Zero is the second and latest entry in the series. Before that, Subnautica launched in 2018. In GameSpot’s Subnautica review, Brett Todd said, “Subnautica’s story, scares, and beautifully rendered underwater setting makes it one of the most fascinating survival games around.”