New Subnautica 2 Video Shows Off a Convenient and Social Dive Elevator, While Promising that Multiplayer Won't Ruin Single Player
•February 10, 2026
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Why It Matters
Ensuring multiplayer is optional preserves the series’ core solo experience while expanding social play, broadening the game’s appeal across platforms and device types.
Key Takeaways
- •All features multiplayer‑ready, but solo play remains fully supported
- •Dive elevator enables group gear transport to deep locations
- •Cross‑play invites work via platform or in‑game friend list
- •Handheld optimization targets Steam Deck and similar devices
- •Studio’s legal disputes won’t affect upcoming content rollout
Pulse Analysis
Subnautica 2 builds on the original’s reputation for solitary, atmospheric survival, yet Unknown Worlds is deliberately engineering every system to accommodate cooperative play without forcing it. By designing core mechanics—such as resource gathering, creature encounters, and even character animations—to function seamlessly with multiple avatars, the studio safeguards the immersive solitude that fans cherish while opening doors for shared experiences. This dual‑track approach reflects a broader industry trend where developers aim to satisfy both solo enthusiasts and the growing demand for social gaming.
The newly revealed dive elevator exemplifies how co‑op can add tangible value. Acting as a mobile freight platform, it lets players attach cargo, descend to the abyss, and return with haul in a single, coordinated trip. Integrated cross‑play invites—available through native platform friends lists or an in‑game roster—ensure that friends on PC, consoles, or handhelds can join effortlessly. Such features not only streamline group logistics but also encourage strategic teamwork, potentially reshaping how players approach deep‑sea exploration and base building.
From a market perspective, the optional multiplayer model and handheld optimization signal Unknown Worlds’ intent to capture a wider audience. Targeting devices like the Steam Deck expands accessibility, while the assurance that solo gameplay remains untouched reassures long‑time fans. Although the studio is embroiled in legal disputes with former executives, the focus on feature completeness and platform flexibility suggests that development momentum will continue, positioning Subnautica 2 as a versatile title poised for strong launch performance.
New Subnautica 2 video shows off a convenient and social dive elevator, while promising that multiplayer won't ruin single player
The important distinction there is that any part of the game isn't going to require cooperative play
Image credit: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
It's another day, another Subnautica 2 dev vlog, this time with a big focus on multiplayer. This ability to play with, heaven forbid, other people is one that developer Unknown Worlds very much understands is not for everyone, given the first game's big focus on isolation and ruffing it yourself. So, this vlog is all about explaining why you don't need to worry if you like to go solo. And also to show off a dive elevator.
In the video, lead engineer Jon Bjarnason noted how the very first internal demos the studio held only a few weeks after development were multiplayer, and that “every single feature that we made since then has been multiplayer capable.” But, as design lead Anthony Gallegos explained, “The important distinction there is that any part of the game isn't going to require cooperative play. If I want to come along and bring a friend, they can totally participate with me in every moment along the way. We never wanted to encroach on someone's game that just is like, ‘I want to play solo.’”
Essentially, co‑op is entirely optional through every aspect of the game; it's just that every aspect of the game also has co‑op in mind. This stretches right through to things like animations too, as now other people can see your whole human body, so limbs and the like need to work properly, something that Brandt Beach—who I’m making sure to mention by name because it’s funny his name is Beach and he’s working on Subnautica—says is more work, but worthwhile.
There's also that snazzy new dive elevator, which is as literal as it sounds—a fancy doohickey you hold onto to help you dive down deep into the depths. “The Dive Elevator just adds a lot to co‑op in general,” lead gameplay engineer Adrian Lopez‑Mobilia explains. “I realized that it would be really cool to be able to both go with friends on it, but also to be able to attach stuff to it. So, as we started developing the prototype we realised that that would make it even more meaningful. Be able to load it up and then shoot it down to the depths and then come back with all the stuff you collected down there.”
It also sounds like they're trying to make playing with your friends as easy as possible, as you'll have the option to invite folks to play either through your platform of choice's friends list, or through an in‑game one for cross‑play functionality. A big emphasis was placed on being able to play the game anywhere too, as a whole team is apparently devoted just to optimising the game for handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
It's worth noting that Subnautica 2 is also a slightly contentious game at the moment, given that the ex‑leads of the game are suing publisher Krafton after being ousted from the company, ultimately leading Unknown Worlds themselves to sue these former execs in kind. A tad messy! So throw an appropriate amount of caution to the wind here.
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