Key Takeaways
1. Playtest Information: Subnautica 2 has a closed playtest with 280 players participating, revealing its testing stage.
2. Development Status: The playtest began on July 19, 2025, and the latest update was on August 26, 2025, indicating ongoing development despite corporate issues.
3. Community Reactions: Mixed reactions from the community, with some envious of beta testers and concerns about more players possibly testing the game internally.
4. Concerns Over Development: Ongoing worries about the game’s development due to a lack of recent updates and leadership changes at Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
5. Launch Prospects: Despite mixed feelings, the playtest data suggests progress toward an early access launch in 2026, and it remains the most wishlisted game on Steam.
Subnautica enthusiasts on the internet have reportedly uncovered official playtest information for the much-awaited sequel on SteamDB. The Subnautica 2 Playtest (App ID 1962780) indicated that 280 players took part four months ago, giving the first solid look into the game’s testing stage.
Details of the Playtest
The SteamDB entry provides some insight into the testing program. Initially, the playtest was launched on July 19, 2025. However, as shown in the screenshot, the latest update was made on August 26, 2025, showing that development work is still ongoing despite some corporate upheaval affecting the project. As it stands, the app is currently not visible to the public, which is common for closed beta testing initiatives.
Community Reactions
A Reddit user found this playtest information and shared it on the platform. Interestingly, reactions from the community have been quite mixed. Many Redditors showed envy towards the beta testers, with one remarking, “You’re telling me 280 people have played SN2?!” A knowledgeable member of the community pointed out that this number merely reflects the “public playtest pool,” hinting that even more players might have tried the game through internal testing.
Ongoing Concerns
Nonetheless, this discovery arrives amid ongoing questions about the game’s prospects. One tester mentioned that there hasn’t been “a new build for a while now,” with the last update coming before significant leadership changes at Unknown Worlds Entertainment. This situation has raised some worries among community members regarding the continuity of development.
The corporate turmoil involving publisher Krafton has evidently influenced the community’s feelings. While some players are still enthusiastic about the game, others have voiced hesitation in backing the project, with one fan expressing they’re “not excited for it anymore after all that the Publisher has done.”
Progress Toward Launch
Even with the mixed feelings, the playtest data indicates that development for Subnautica 2 is moving forward toward its early access launch in 2026. It also continues to be the most wishlisted game on Steam. Regardless, it will take some time before fans catch their first underwater glimpse of the sequel.
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