Subnautica 2 enters Early Access on May 14, 2026, with a $29.99 USD launch price, support for PC and Xbox Series X|S, and day-one inclusion on Xbox Game Pass. The sequel from Unknown Worlds Entertainment skips PlayStation and Nintendo platforms for now, and the price is expected to rise when the game reaches its full 1.0 release.
Quick answer: Buy Subnautica 2 on May 14, 2026, at 08:00 PDT (15:00 UTC) for $29.99 on Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, or Xbox Series X|S, or play it through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at no extra cost.
Release time: May 14, 2026 at 08:00 PDT / 15:00 UTC (simultaneous worldwide launch)
Subnautica 2 Early Access price
Subnautica 2 launches at a flat $29.99 USD across every storefront where it is sold, with regional pricing applied automatically through each platform. Unknown Worlds has stated that this is an introductory Early Access price, and the cost will increase when the game leaves Early Access and ships its 1.0 version. The studio expects the 1.0 release to arrive roughly two to three years after the May 14, 2026 launch.
The same $29.99 price applies whether the purchase is made on Steam, the Epic Games Store, the Microsoft Store, or the Xbox Series X|S storefront. There is no separate deluxe or premium edition announced for the Early Access debut.
| Purchase option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Steam | $29.99 USD |
| Epic Games Store | $29.99 USD |
| Microsoft Store (PC) | $29.99 USD |
| Xbox Series X|S | $29.99 USD |
| PC Game Pass | Included with subscription ($13.99/month) |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | Included with subscription ($22.99/month) |
Supported platforms
Subnautica 2 Early Access is a Microsoft-exclusive console release. Owners of an Xbox Series X or Series S can buy or stream the game through the Xbox storefront, and PC players can pick it up from three different stores. The Xbox version uses Microsoft's Game Preview program, which is how Early Access titles are distributed on Xbox consoles.
| Platform | Available at Early Access launch? |
|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Yes |
| PC (Epic Games Store) | Yes |
| PC (Microsoft Store) | Yes |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes (Game Preview) |
| ROG Xbox Ally | Yes |
| PlayStation 5 | No |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | No |
A PlayStation 5 version has not been announced. Sony does not currently support Microsoft's Game Preview framework, so a PS5 release is only expected to be considered after the game exits Early Access. The original Subnautica eventually reached PlayStation 4, so a future PS5 port is plausible but unconfirmed.
Release time by region
The Early Access launch is simultaneous worldwide, anchored to 15:00 UTC on May 14, 2026. Use the regional times below to plan a preload check or a launch-day session.
| Region | Local time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles (PDT) | May 14, 8:00 AM |
| New York (EDT) | May 14, 11:00 AM |
| London (BST) | May 14, 4:00 PM |
| Berlin (CEST) | May 14, 5:00 PM |
| Tokyo (JST) | May 15, 12:00 AM |
| Sydney (AEST) | May 15, 1:00 AM |
What is included in Early Access
The Early Access build is not a demo. It is the full game in active development, and saves carry forward as updates land. Unknown Worlds has confirmed several features will be in place from day one.
- Four-player online co-op multiplayer
- Multiple biomes to explore on a new alien planet
- A larger roster of creatures and Leviathans than any previous Subnautica Early Access launch
- Craftable tools, vehicles, and base-building elements
- Story content focused on exploration alongside alien factions
The studio estimates Subnautica 2 will remain in Early Access for about two to three years before the 1.0 release, with additional biomes, story chapters, creatures, and balance changes added during that window.
How to buy or claim Subnautica 2
Step 1: Decide whether to purchase the game outright or use Game Pass. A one-time purchase at $29.99 keeps the game permanently, while Game Pass access ends if the subscription lapses. Game Pass subscribers can switch to a purchase later, and many storefronts offer a Game Pass member discount toward buying titles on the service.
Step 2: Open the storefront that matches the platform. PC players can use Steam, the Epic Games Store, or the Microsoft Store. Xbox Series X|S players should use the console's Microsoft Store or the Xbox app.
Step 3: Pre-order or wishlist the game ahead of May 14. Wishlisting on Steam triggers a launch notification, and pre-ordering on Xbox lets the console auto-install when the build unlocks at 15:00 UTC.
Step 4: On launch day, install the game and verify the version reads as Early Access on the store page or the in-game main menu. If access works correctly, the title screen loads, and a save slot can be created without a paywall prompt.
Why the price may rise later
Unknown Worlds has been explicit that $29.99 is the Early Access price, not the final retail price. When Subnautica 2 leaves Early Access and ships its 1.0 version, the cost will increase to reflect the larger content set. Buying during Early Access locks in the lower price, and the purchase converts automatically to the full game at no extra charge once 1.0 ships.
For players who prefer to wait for 1.0, the Game Pass route offers a low-commitment way to sample the Early Access build without paying full price up front. The trade-off is that progress remains tied to the subscription, and leaving Game Pass removes access until the game is purchased or the subscription is renewed.
The launch window is tight, and the platform list is narrow, so the practical decision comes down to whether $29.99 today is more attractive than a higher 1.0 price later, and whether Xbox or PC is the preferred home for a multi-year survival sandbox. Both routes lead to the same content on May 14, 2026, at 15:00 UTC.