Weapons are still off the table though.
Unknown Worlds have addressed the growing debate around combat in Subnautica 2, apologising to players who felt “ignored or dismissed” by recent developer comments, while reaffirming that the survival game will not introduce traditional weapons.
The discussion intensified after comments made in the Subnautica Discord about players wanting to kill hostile creatures. One message from level designer Artyom “Artie” O'Rielly drew particular attention after he told players: “We aren't a killing game. Go play Sons of the Forest or something if you want to kill.”
Following the backlash, the studio published an open letter outlining changes planned for creature encounters and explaining why the team is sticking to its current design philosophy.
“We also understand that some recent comments from our team made players feel ignored or dismissed. We are sorry for that,” Unknown Worlds said. “Early Access should be a conversation with our players, not a one-way explanation from the development team.”
Subnautica 2
Release Date: 14 May, 2026 (Early Access)
Price: US$29.99
Platform: Xbox Series and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store
Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Why is Subnautica 2’s no-combat approach causing debate?
A major point of frustration among players has been how predator encounters currently feel during gameplay. Unknown Worlds acknowledged that some hostile creature interactions are “more frustrating than tense or exciting,” particularly when existing defensive options do not feel dependable. According to the studio, players are not always confident in how to respond when attacked, because mitigation tools can feel unclear or ineffective.
What will developers change in Subnautica 2 to address Early Access player frustration?
To address this, Unknown Worlds said upcoming patches will adjust several gameplay systems, including creature aggression timing, aggro range, flare effectiveness, Survival Tool effectiveness, and how creatures interact with bases and vehicles. The studio also said that requests for more direct combat options are understandable given the current state of creature encounters.
“When avoidance and mitigation tools do not feel effective, it is natural for players to want a more decisive solution,” the team wrote in its letter.
Will players ever be able to kill creatures in Subnautica 2?
Despite the criticism, Unknown Worlds made clear that its overall direction for Subnautica 2 has not changed. Lead game designer Anthony Gallegos previously told players in the Subnautica Discord: “You're not ever getting actual weapons, sorry. Mods I am sure will add it, but we're committed to offering more robust mitigation options with making you the sea dominator.”
The studio repeated that stance in its open letter, saying the decision is tied to what it believes makes Subnautica distinct from more combat-focused survival games. “Subnautica has always been built around vulnerability, exploration, and survival rather than traditional weapon-based combat,” Unknown Worlds said. At the same time, the developers admitted that this style of gameplay only works if encounters feel “fair, readable, and engaging,” adding that more work is still needed.
Unknown Worlds says player feedback will shape Early Access
The studio also used the letter to clarify how it wants to approach feedback during Early Access development. Unknown Worlds described Early Access as “a collaboration with the community” rather than simply a period for collecting bug reports. The team said it may not implement every request from players, but it still has a responsibility to explain decisions respectfully and listen to criticism.
The devs also promised that they “will be delivering a series of improvements aimed at addressing the concerns,” hoping to show the players that they are “listening and committed" to working with the players to make the best version of the game as possible.
