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Subnautica is fraught with danger, but its ocean can be relaxing too

The ruined vessel spits fire and embers into the sky. I am stranded on an alien planet, underequipped and on the verge of death. The outlook is grim, but, in spite of everything, I feel relaxed.


You see, Subnautica has become my go-to game to get lost in. In it, you control the survivor of a spaceship that has crash landed on an ocean planet. You craft items, locate resources, and explore the murky depths, staving off hunger, thirst, and hostile wildlife. I admit that it may not sound like one of the most relaxing games, but stay with me.


One reason for Subnautica's soothing nature is the wide range of difficulty settings on offer. There are four categories: freedom, survival, hardcore, and creative. These adjust the number of threats you have to worry about, with freedom removing the hunger and thirst bars, while the creative mode makes you outright invincible. Three of the four modes allow you to take matters at a sedate pace, then - jump scares and real peril are reserved for hardcore mode.


Read the rest of the story...


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Below Zero Stranger Pings Update

A new update is available for Subnautica: Below Zero Early Access. Mystery awaits you in Stranger Pings. Investigate the abandoned Alterra bases, unlock new base decorations, experience new creature behaviors, and much more. Visit the Stranger Pings site to learn more!


  • Dig deeper into the mysteries of 4546B with new character portraits and base detailing
  • Decorate and personalize your base with new props and stairs for surface bases
  • Enjoy a smoother ride – with significantly less pop-in – thanks to improved grass and terrain fading technology
  • Discover further detail and polish work in Deep Lilypads and Iceberg Zone
  • Experience new creature behaviors, including Rock Puncher improvements
  • Utilize the Object Highlighting accessibility option to showcase interactable items


https://youtu.be/KNyR2yAlv_8


[h2]Alterra Base Polish[/h2]

As you investigate the abandoned Alterra bases on 4546B, you will now uncover additional environmental storytelling. Learn more about the scientists that lived and worked on the planet prior to your arrival, ranging from unlockable employee profiles, to personal items and decor. It’s even easier to know which base you’ve arrived at too, with symbols and name plates added to the exterior!


[h2]Base Decorations[/h2]

Add a touch more personalization to your own bases after you root through the Alterra labs, with the futuristic Executive Toy, a calming Aromatherapy Lamp, as well as stairs for your surface bases.


[h2]Artifact Pings[/h2]

Never lose an Artifact in the world again! A Precursor symbol will now accompany any Artifact locations on the planet, which can all be managed through your trusty PDA.


[h2]Known Issue: PDA Unlocks[/h2]

PDAs that you have previously collected during your playthrough may reappear with this update. If you have already unlocked them, you will not be able to pick it up again. We are working on a solution for the next update.


[h2]Biome Detail and Polish[/h2]

Further detail and polish work has been added to Deep Lilypads and the Iceberg Zone. Revisit these impressive biomes to discover just how rich and vivid the world is becoming.


[h2]Creature Behaviors[/h2]

The behaviors of several creatures that inhabit the vast waters of the planet have been revamped with this update. The Rock Puncher now trawls the ocean floor in search of sustenance, which also unearths resources that you can pick through. Squidsharks utilize a new lightning attack to chase away any threats. Other creatures have also seen updates to their pathing and animations, so make sure you get out in the world and interact with them... if you dare.


[h2]Object Highlighting[/h2]

This feature can be found under the new Accessibility section of the menu. With a selection of colors to choose from, you’ll be able to highlight objects in the world that you can interact with.

Follow Below Zero development

You can find out about upcoming updates in all sorts of ways. Sign up to the Development Newsletter to receive word every time an update is released. Follow the Unknown Worlds and Subnautica: Below Zero Steam groups to get a notification on Steam. You can also:

Enjoy, and happy diving!

- Unknown Worlds
https://store.steampowered.com/app/848450/Subnautica_Below_Zero/

Subnautica Micro Update Released

Hello, Subnauts. A new update (B87) has just been released for Subnautica on the Steam, Epic, and Discord stores. We want to thanks you all once again for your continued feedback. This update contains further bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements.

Players accessing Subnautica on the Epic and Discord store might find that the game will take a little longer than usual to load for the first time. This is due to us automatically migrating your saved games to a new location. We hope that this update continues to improve the Subnautica experience for you all.

To stay up-to-date with development, make that you’re subscribed to the Subnautica development newsletter, follow @Subnautica on Twitter, @Subnautica on Instagram, Subnautica on Facebook, and subscribe to Subnautica on Youtube to be notified as soon as a new update is available.

And please keep sending us your feedback! We'd love to hear from you via the in-game feedback system (press F8 while playing), here on our forums, or in our Discord chat.

- Unknown Worlds

CHANGELOG Improvements
  • Performance and lots of under-the-hood improvements
  • Improved world streaming: You should no longer be able to outrun terrain or fall through the world in a PRAWN suit
  • Hardcore mode: Low oxygen will no longer warn you
  • Rocket platform physics issues addressed
Fixes
  • Fixed Lifepod ping not staying disabled on game load
  • Fixed base pillar bug
  • Fixed PRAWN suit stuck in air if built far away
  • Fixed quality issue with clouds
  • Fixed clipmap settings for PC & Mac
  • Fixed fade-in of some props
  • Disabled managed code stripping for mod support
  • Updated translations

Below Zero Salad Days Update

A new update is available for Subnautica: Below Zero Early Access. Salad Days are here on 4546B! Grab a thermos of coffee, fire up the Recyclotron, and get ready for more ice-cold adventure... and salad. Visit the Salad Days site to learn more!

  • Visit Marguerit’s Greenhouse and uncover unique plants and all-new salad recipes
  • React to the changing environment of Planet 4546B with player emotes
  • Interact with the Recyclotron and dismantle crafted objects to retrieve materials
  • Discover the bridge to Arctic Spires and a new accompanying cinematic
  • Experience the latest additions and clues to Below Zero’s revamped story
  • Scale the Below Zero UI with an additional slider to tailor your game experience


https://youtu.be/HfHybGKKza0


[h2]Marguerit’s Greenhouse[/h2]
What hearty meal could be better to help you fight off the freezing temperatures of 4546B than salad? Take a moment out of your adventuring to visit Marguerit’s Greenhouse and discover new unique plants and recipes to aid your survival efforts!


[h2]Recyclotron[/h2]
In a pinch for resources? Have some crafted items you’re no longer making use of? Fabricate and utilize the Recyclotron to dismantle objects and retrieve the raw materials!


[h2]Bridge to Arctic Spires[/h2]
Gain access to Arctic Spires via Glacial Bay with this new bridge! Well, it might need a little bit of love, care, and repairing first. But once across, you can uncover all of the delights that Arctic Spires holds… including a huge, felled Ice Worm.


[h2]Iceberg Zone[/h2]
Life is abundant in the Iceberg Zone, above and below the surface! But it’s not just creatures that you’ll stumble across here. Who knows what Architect mysteries and artifacts await, hidden away in this biome.

[h2]Player Emotes[/h2]
The weather on the surface can change fast. Robin has some new, expressive emotes to react as the temperature drops, and to other environmental shifts.


[h2]Thermos and Coffee[/h2]
Make yourself a piping hot coffee to shake the chill from your adventures across the freezing waters and icy ground of 4546B. Don’t forget to do your part in keeping the planet safe by using and reusing an environmentally friendly thermos!


[h2]Snow Stalker Improvements[/h2]
The Snow Stalkers live up to their name this update, with new stalking behavior. But don’t worry, as long as you have a flare, you’ll be able to put a little distance between you and your fuzzy friend. You did bring a flare, right?


[h2]Ice Bubbles[/h2]
Oxygen is at a premium as you dive ever deeper! Keep one eye out for ice bubbles and use your laser cutter to pop them open to avoid making a hasty retreat back to the surface.


[h2]More Story Additions[/h2]
Below Zero’s story continues to expand with a whole host of new additions. From PDA entries, to detail work in Alterra’s abandoned bases, and the Radio Tower location, there’s plenty to explore and uncover as you piece together the clues about Sam’s disappearance.


[h2]Environmental Polish[/h2]
Return to the Deep Purple Vents, Glacial Forest, and Arctic Spires and enjoy even more polish and detail work to the biomes.


[h2]UI Scaling[/h2]
Tailor your Below Zero experience even further with this new slider in the settings menu to scale the UI to your liking.

Follow Below Zero development

You can find out about upcoming updates in all sorts of ways. Sign up to the Development Newsletter to receive word every time an update is released. Follow the Unknown Worlds and Subnautica: Below Zero Steam groups to get a notification on Steam. You can also:

Enjoy, and happy diving!

- Unknown Worlds
https://store.steampowered.com/app/848450/Subnautica_Below_Zero/

Below Zero Frostbite Update

A new update is available for Subnautica: Below Zero Early Access. Start your brand new adventure on Planet 4546B with a revamped story and intro cinematic. Visit the Frostbite site to learn more!

  • Experience the beginning of an all-new story and intro cinematic
  • Explore the extensively reworked Glacial Basin
  • Interact with the new cold mechanics and avoid hypothermia
  • Discover new Snowball interactions with the Snow Stalkers
  • Encounter escalating weather conditions
  • Uncover further improvements and polish to existing biomes
  • Enjoy crisper, and more clear in-game text

https://youtu.be/SXnjJxMmec0


[h2]New Story and Intro Cinematic[/h2]
Start your brand new adventure on Planet 4546B with a revamped story and intro cinematic. As you crash land on the surface a new mystery awaits you, with further secrets to uncover about Alterra and Robin’s sister, Sam. But a familiar presence is also waiting deep beneath the surface…


[h2]Glacial Basin[/h2]
Explore and traverse the cavernous, newly reworked Glacial Basin biome. With more nooks and crannies to uncover, the Basin now merges more seamlessly with underwater experiences via Glacial Bay.


[h2]Cold Mechanics and Escalating Weather[/h2]
Avoiding hypothermia while exploring the surface of the planet is now a concern with the introduction of cold mechanics. Make sure to plot out routes and take an abundance of coffee on your adventures] to stave off the chill. Weather conditions also naturally escalate, so keep one eye out for any snowstorms slowly rolling in.


[h2]Biome Polish and Improvements[/h2]
Take time out to rediscover and explore the Thermal Vents and Lilypad Connection biomes. With further polish and improvements, these biomes are now more vibrant and varied, with additional detailing work to the terrain.


[h2]Quantum Lockers[/h2]
Utilize this Precursor technology in order to access your Quantum Locker storage across the planet, wherever you place them.


[h2]Status Indicators[/h2]
Wondering about the status and durability of your items? Keep an eye on your power usage with newly introduced status indicators, which will visually prompt you when they need a little care and attention.


[h2]Ore Veins[/h2]
On the hunt for resource-rich areas? Keep an eye out for ore veins in Arctic Spires and Glacial Basin, which will now provide increased materials for all of your crafting needs.


[h2]Snowballs and Water Purification Tablets[/h2]
The dual-use Snowballs can be life saving in more than one instance. A well-timed throw can distract a Snowstalker, to facilitate your quick escape. But they can also be utilized in the new water purification tablets, providing you with a new water source and keep you from dehydrating.


[h2]New Ice Worm Animation[/h2]
The fearsome Ice Worm has all new interactions and animations to uncover, as you attempt to cross its treacherous territory. But this leviathan-class creature doesn’t just have its sights set on you.


[h2]Surface Beacons[/h2]
Worried about losing your way on the surface? You can now place Beacons above ground, so you can mark out any important areas that you’d like to easily rediscover.


[h2]Crisper Text[/h2]
Below Zero’s text is now crisper and cleaner than ever, thanks to an all-new update that improves readability.

[h2]Follow Below Zero development[/h2]
You can find out about upcoming updates in all sorts of ways. Sign up to the Development Newsletter to receive word every time an update is released. Follow the Unknown Worlds and Subnautica: Below Zero Steam groups to get a notification on Steam. You can also:

Enjoy, and happy diving!

- Unknown Worlds
https://store.steampowered.com/app/848450/Subnautica_Below_Zero/