Compare Revisions

1-Crossplay in Subnautica 2 allows players on different platforms to join the same co-op session. The game uses Epic Online Services (EOS) for cross-platform matchmaking and connectivity, enabling seamless play between PC, Xbox, and handheld devices. Design Lead Anthony Gallegos described the approach as making the game "available anywhere, with anybody."
1+Crossplay in Subnautica 2 is live and lets players on different platforms join the same co-op session. The game uses Epic Online Services for cross-platform matchmaking and connectivity, enabling play between PC, Xbox, and handheld devices. Design Lead Anthony Gallegos described the approach as making the game "available anywhere, with anybody."
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33 Supported Platforms
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5-PlatformStatusDetailsPC (Steam)Confirmed at launchFull crossplay with all other confirmed platforms.PC (Epic Games Store)Confirmed at launchFull crossplay via native EOS integration.PC (Microsoft Store)Confirmed at launchFull crossplay including with Xbox Game Pass PC subscribers.Xbox Series X|SConfirmed at launchAnnounced at the Xbox Partner show in October 2024. Available as Game Preview (Microsoft's Early Access equivalent).Xbox Game PassConfirmed at launchDay-one availability at no additional cost to subscribers. Crossplay-enabled with all platforms.Steam DeckCompatible via crossplaySteam Deck Verified at Early Access launch. Crossplay compatibility was discussed in Dev Vlog 5.ROG Ally / ROG Xbox AllyConfirmed at launchROG Xbox Ally is a confirmed launch platform with a dedicated default graphics preset designed for the handheld's hardware. The broader ROG Ally device range supports crossplay through Epic Online Services. Players can manually tune graphics settings for performance or fidelity.PlayStation 5Not confirmedPlayStation support has not been confirmed for Subnautica 2. Unknown Worlds has not announced any PS5 release date or roadmap. If PS5 ships in the future, crossplay availability has not been described.Nintendo SwitchNot confirmedSubnautica 2 has not been announced for Switch.
5+PlatformStatusDetailsPC (Steam)LiveFull crossplay with all other supported platforms.PC (Epic Games Store)LiveFull crossplay with every other supported platform.PC (Microsoft Store / Xbox-on-PC)LiveIncludes PC Game Pass subscribers, who play through the Microsoft Store build.Xbox Series X|SLiveAvailable as an Early Access title and crossplay-enabled with all platforms.Game Pass (Ultimate, PC)LiveDay-one availability at no additional cost on the Ultimate and PC tiers. Crossplay-enabled with all platforms.ROG Xbox AllyLiveThe ROG Xbox Ally handheld supports crossplay and ships with a dedicated default graphics preset for the device.Steam DeckLive (Verified)Steam Deck Verified at Early Access launch and crossplay-compatible through the Steam build.PlayStation 5Not availableNot part of the crossplay set. PS5 is not available at Early Access and has not been officially confirmed for any date. If a PS5 version ships later, its crossplay support has not been described.
6-How it Works
6+PlayStation 5 is not available at Early Access and has not been officially confirmed for any date, so it is not part of the current crossplay set.
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8-Subnautica 2 uses Epic Online Services as a platform-agnostic connectivity layer rather than relying on platform-specific matchmaking systems (Steam's matchmaking, Xbox Live, etc.). This architectural choice enables true cross-platform play without requiring players to use a specific storefront or service.
8+How It Works
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10-The game's multiplayer uses peer-to-peer networking: one player hosts the session while others connect directly. EOS handles the connection brokering across platforms. Up to four players can join a single co-op session regardless of which platform each is using.
10+Subnautica 2 uses Epic Online Services as a platform-agnostic connectivity layer rather than relying on platform-specific matchmaking systems. This enables cross-platform play without requiring players to use a specific storefront or service. The game's multiplayer is peer-to-peer: one player hosts the session while others connect directly. Up to four players can join a single session regardless of which platform each is using, and progress saves to the host's world.
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12-Friends and Invitations
12+Friend Codes and Invitations
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14-Players have two ways to invite friends:
14+Subnautica 2 uses a friend-code system to let players invite each other across platforms. Players have two main ways to invite friends:
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16-MethodHow It WorksPlatform friends listUse your native platform's friends system (Steam friends, Xbox Live, Epic friends) to send invitations. Works within the same platform ecosystem.In-game friends listSubnautica 2's own cross-platform friends menu allows adding and inviting friends regardless of which platform they use. This is the primary method for cross-platform play.
16+MethodHow It WorksIn-game friend codesPlayers exchange friend codes through the cross-platform friends menu and invite each other regardless of platform. This is the primary method for cross-platform play.Platform friends listNative platform friends systems (Steam, Xbox) can also send invitations within the same platform ecosystem.
1717 All multiplayer is invitation-based. There is no automatic matchmaking with strangers. Players invite specific friends to join their world, and those friends can join and leave freely using the drop-in/drop-out system.
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19-Xbox Game Pass Integration
19+Game Pass Integration
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21-Subnautica 2 is available on Xbox Game Pass on day one of Early Access, announced alongside the game's reveal at the October 2024 Xbox Partner show. This means Game Pass subscribers on Xbox and PC can play during Early Access at no additional cost beyond their subscription. Game Pass players have full crossplay access with Steam, Epic, and other platform players.
21+Subnautica 2 is available on Game Pass on day one of Early Access on the Ultimate and PC tiers. Subscribers on Xbox and PC can play during Early Access at no additional cost beyond their subscription, and they have full crossplay access with Steam, Epic, and other platform players. This significantly expands the crossplay player pool, since subscribers on both Xbox consoles and PC Game Pass (which uses the Microsoft Store) can join sessions with players on any other supported platform.
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23-The Game Pass integration significantly expands the crossplay player pool, as subscribers on both Xbox consoles and PC Game Pass (which uses the Microsoft Store) can join sessions with players on any other supported platform.
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2523 Handheld Devices
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27-Dev Vlog 5 mentioned crossplay compatibility with handheld devices alongside the main PC and Xbox platforms. Both the Steam Deck and ROG Ally series support crossplay through Epic Online Services connectivity, allowing portable players to join sessions with desktop and console players. The Steam Deck is Verified for the Early Access launch build.
25+Both the Steam Deck and the ROG Xbox Ally support crossplay, allowing portable players to join sessions with desktop and console players. The Steam Deck is Verified for the Early Access build, and the ROG Xbox Ally is a supported launch platform with its own default graphics preset.
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29-Crossplay is Optional
27+Crossplay Is Optional
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31-All multiplayer in Subnautica 2, including crossplay, is entirely optional. The full game can be completed solo. Gallegos emphasized: "We never wanted to encroach on someone's game that just is like, 'I want to play solo.' We never wanted to have the moment where you had to pull the switches in tandem." No content is locked behind multiplayer, and no puzzles require multiple players.
29+All multiplayer in Subnautica 2, including crossplay, is entirely optional. The full game can be completed solo. Gallegos emphasized: "We never wanted to encroach on someone's game that just is like, 'I want to play solo.'" No content is locked behind multiplayer, and no puzzles require multiple players.
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33-What Remains Unknown
31+Not Yet Detailed
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35-Whether cross-progression (carrying save data between platforms) is supportedExact PS5 launch timeline and whether it coincides with the full 1.0 releaseWhether crossplay can be disabled for platform-specific sessionsVoice chat integration across platforms (currently relies on Discord or platform-native solutions)
33+Whether cross-progression (carrying save data between platforms) is supported.Any PlayStation 5 timeline; a PS5 version is unconfirmed and possibly only around the 1.0 release.Whether crossplay can be disabled for platform-specific sessions.In-world proximity voice chat, planned for a later co-op-focused update; at launch, voice chat relies on external or platform-native options.