As someone who sank way too many hours into the original Subnautica’s tense, awe-inspiring ocean, this announcement immediately grabbed my attention: Subnautica 2 will launch day one on Xbox Game Pass via the Game Preview program in 2025. That’s a huge win for survival fans, but there’s a catch-its long-term future on the service is still very much up in the air. Here’s why that matters, and what it actually means for players hoping to dive in at launch or later.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Krafton |
| Release Date | 2025 (Game Preview) |
| Genres | Survival, Adventure |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X|S, PC |
Let’s cut through the marketing speak: Game Pass players will get to play Subnautica 2 right from the start, but only in its unfinished, evolving Game Preview state. That’s not a bad thing—after all, the first Subnautica’s early access era was legendary for community involvement and fast, iterative updates. But there’s a big question mark about what happens when the game is “finished” and the price goes up. Krafton hasn’t promised anything about its post-launch status, so there’s a real chance it could disappear from Game Pass when it hits 1.0. That’s a move we’ve seen with other high-profile indies and live-service games lately.
Historically, both Subnautica and Below Zero joined and left Game Pass at different points—never feeling truly “permanent” but available long enough for most dedicated fans to enjoy. That’s why I’m only cautiously optimistic this time around. Publishers love the early access visibility and buzz Game Pass provides, but once it’s time to cash in on full-fat sales, exclusivity windows or service exits aren’t uncommon. It’s a balancing act: get a huge audience in early, then monetize the hype with a price hike and limited service window.
What does this all mean for gamers? If you want to be part of the Subnautica 2 journey, your Game Pass sub will get you in the door for early access in 2025, no strings attached. But if you’re a “wait for the finished product” type—or you drift in and out of Game Pass—don’t count on it being there forever. You might want to play it while you can, or keep an eye out for whether it actually sticks around post-launch. And as with any early access title, expect bugs, big changes, and community-driven feedback to shape the experience.
Bottom line: Subnautica 2 coming to Game Pass at launch is a big deal for fans of survival adventures and early access tinkerers. But don’t assume it’ll stick around forever, especially once it leaves Game Preview. If you’re hyped for another round of deep sea terror, get ready to dive in when 2025 rolls around—and keep your eyes peeled for the fine print as release approaches.
TL;DR: Subnautica 2 will be playable day one via Game Pass (Game Preview!), but its long-term stay isn’t guaranteed. If you want to experience the next evolution of oceanic survival from the start, this is your chance—just don’t bank on it being a permanent fixture unless Krafton says otherwise.
Source: Krafton via GamesPress