Subnautica 2 devs revived a cut Subnautica feature for the sequel
Subnautica 2, developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, is introducing co-op multiplayer, a feature originally planned for the first game but never implemented. The sequel, launching in early access on May 14, 2026, is built from the ground up with co-op support for up to four players. Advancements in technology and the use of Unreal Engine 5 have enabled the team to create a more interactive and dynamic underwater experience.
- ▪Subnautica 2 will support up to four-player co-operative multiplayer from launch.
- ▪Co-op was a planned feature for the original Subnautica but was abandoned during development.
- ▪Unknown Worlds began prototyping co-op features from the earliest builds of Subnautica 2.
- ▪Implementing co-op after development began would have been extremely difficult due to engine and architectural limitations.
- ▪The studio used Unreal Engine 5 to overcome previous technical constraints and enhance interactivity in the game.
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Follow Followed Like Thread Link copied to clipboard Add us on By Austin Manchester Published May 2, 2026, 11:01 AM EDT Interview Co-op multiplayer is a big part of what defines the sequel { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "1", "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.polygon.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position":"2", "name": "Interview", "item": "https://www.polygon.com/interviews/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position":"3", "name": "Subnautica 2 devs brought back an axed feature from the first game", "item": "https://www.polygon.com/subnautica-2-co-op-multiplayer-developer-interview/" } ] } Related Subnautica 2 will launch unfinished say creators (and for good reason) Resident Evil 2026 director reveals…
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