Subnautica 2, the much-anticipated ocean survival adventure that was set to dive into early access this year, has officially pushed its launch back to 2026.

Unknown Worlds, a creative studio under Krafton, broke the news via their official website on the 9th. The decision stems from feedback gathered during recent private community tests, as the developers look to polish the experience further.

In a post on the official blog, Unknown Worlds stated, "Community feedback is the heartbeat of our development process, and we have identified several areas that need refinement before we pull back the curtain on the first early access build." The developer added, "While the environment, creatures, and narrative direction received positive marks, we are dedicating extra time to bolster the content to better meet player expectations."

Subnautica 2 is a survival adventure that plunges you into an alien underwater world teeming with bizarre life and hidden secrets. Building upon the survival and exploration mechanics of its predecessor, the title introduces new underwater ecosystems—featuring towering sea cliffs and lush coral reefs—while officially supporting cooperative multiplayer for up to four players.

Meanwhile, Krafton has recently shaken up the leadership at Unknown Worlds. With three of the studio's founding members departing, Steve Papoutsis from Striking Distance Studios has been appointed as the new CEO. Unknown Worlds insists that "there are no changes to the game's direction or the composition of the development team," and that the studio remains confident in what has been created so far.