Unknown Worlds has officially announced Subnautica 2 will enter Early Access on May 14, 2026. Players can access the aquatic adventure on Steam and Epic Games platforms, with Xbox users getting a Preview version. This announcement comes shortly after the studio parted ways with publisher Krafton following a contentious legal dispute that threatened the project's future.

The legal battle stemmed from Krafton's attempt to gain control of Unknown Worlds, allegedly to avoid paying a bonus for hitting launch targets. CEO Ted Gill was reinstated after the conflict, allowing him to personally announce the Early Access date. This resolution clears the way for the sequel to the beloved underwater survival game to proceed as originally envisioned.

During Early Access, Subnautica 2 will carry a price tag of $29.99 with regional adjustments. The new trailer reveals some alien fauna players will encounter, including giant carnivorous clams and eerie airborne mollusks. Early Access allows gamers to experience the game's development while providing valuable feedback to the development team.