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Subnautica devs want to make a full sequel - and they'll "rethink" multiplayer

Subnautica: Below Zero started life as a DLC expansion, and while it's blossomed into a standalone project, it's not quite a full sequel. It seems that developer Unknown Worlds on to, well, unknown worlds after Below Zero wraps up its stay in Early Access, but the devs make it sound like a third Subnautica is basically inevitable. And that might be the point at which we finally see official multiplayer support.


"We knew right away that we weren't doing multiplayer with Below Zero," art director Cory Strader tells us in an interview. "It was initially going to be an expansion pack, it was a much shorter timeline. So we knew that was totally out of the scope." Strader says that VR support was a similar casualty of the more focused approach in Below Zero - but, of course, there are mods for both of those things.


But in an official capacity, Strader says "I would imagine we would be rethinking those things, at least the multiplayer side of things, if we do future a Subnautica game."


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Subnautica: Below Zero has added a massive sunken ship to explore

How Subnautica's community helped create an underwater world dying to be explored

Steam Early Access has changed the way games are launched: gone are the years of waiting for a game, only seeing gameplay snippets in a string of trailers. With Early Access you can sometimes be playing a game as soon as it is announced. It has brought a new thrill, the thrill of a journey and a collaboration between community and developer.


Subnautica is perhaps one of the best examples of this new way of developing games. It is an underwater survival game, where you play as an unfortunate soul who has crash landed on an lonely sci-fi planet. With few prompts, it is up to you to decide how you will eat, drink, and escape - all while carefully managing your oxygen supply. It launches from Early Access today and, in the words of design director Charlie Cleveland, "there's not much to ship."



Read the rest of the story...


RELATED LINKS:

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

Subnautica: Below Zero finally lets you freeze to death

Subnautica: Below Zero has added a massive sunken ship to explore

Below Zero Relics of the Past Update

A new update is available for Subnautica: Below Zero Early Access. Visit the Relics of the Past site to learn more!

  • Experience Below Zero’s story in its most complete form, now fully voiced!
  • Check out Robin’s revamped look with a new Dive Suit and model
  • Unlock more alien mysteries in the Precursor Caches
  • Discover new world details, including artwork from the community
  • Venture to the edge of the world and encounter the vicious Void Chelicerate
  • Optionally pause your game when the PDA is open

https://youtu.be/YKoHTbvV188

[h2]Complete and Fully Voiced Story[/h2]

Play through Below Zero from start to (almost) finish, with the most complete version of the story to date. With voice acting fully implemented, rich lore to be discovered through the PDA logs, encyclopedia entries, and databanks, as well as additional art assets, the truth of what happened to Sam and on Planet 4546B prior to your arrival is waiting for you. With voices implemented, we also recommend starting a new game, though old save files are still compatible with this update.

[h2]Updated Robin Model[/h2]

Robin has a new look from head-to-fin with a sleek Xenoworx Dive Suit to wear, sporting a revamped hairstyle, as well as updates to the face model. Arctic survival has never looked better.

[h2]Void Chelicerate[/h2]

Venture if you dare to the edge of the world, where a new Leviathan is awaiting your arrival. A rare mutation of the Chelicerates you might have uncovered on your journey, the Void Chelicerate is a hulking, aggressive creature that does not take kindly to your intrusion.

[h2]Precursor Caches[/h2]

Uncover further secrets of the mysterious and ancient Architects in the Precursor Caches. Who knows what you might find as you explore these eerie and abandoned areas of the planet.

[h2]Beacons Drop on Death[/h2]

Did you meet an unfortunate end on your journey across Planet 4546B? Make sure to carry a Beacon in your inventory, as it will drop on your death, ensuring a somewhat smooth rediscovery of your last known location, as well as assist with reclaiming any lost items.

[h2]PDA Pause[/h2]

Found in the Accessibility menu, this opt-in feature will pause your game whenever the PDA is open. Now you can read through your PDA at leisure and never worry about running out of oxygen or getting hypothermia.

[h2]World Details and Polish[/h2]

Traverse the intro area to discover additional details and revisions, unlock decorative items designed by the Subnautica community, and much more, with the latest rounds of polish to the game. There’s plenty to uncover and revisit, giving a fresh and rich experience for all players.

[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/

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...


RELATED LINKS:

Subnautica: Below Zero finally lets you freeze to death

Subnautica: Below Zero has added a massive sunken ship to explore

Subnautica sales top 5 million


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/