Dev vlogs

Unknown Worlds has released five developer video logs (dev vlogs) documenting the development of Subnautica 2. All are hosted by Design Lead Anthony Gallegos and feature members of the development team discussing their work. The series launched under the banner "Road to Early Access."

Dev Vlog #1: Road to Early Access

Released: April 23, 2025

The first in-development footage of Subnautica 2. Showed updated base building with support pillars, superconducting foundations, and new compartments. Resources now use resource-specific nodes with a decimal-based inventory system (e.g., "0.71 titanium"). The scanner tool has expanded functions including a radar for locating materials. An alien slime mechanic was shown where consuming alien biological material grants genetic modifications. A dynamic weather system affecting ocean currents, visibility, and creature behavior was previewed. A new leviathan model was briefly shown.

Gallegos confirmed the team planned to "bring the game into early access later this year" (2025, before the delay was announced).

Dev Vlog #2: Building Unknown Worlds

Released: June 19, 2025

Focused on world-building and environmental design for Planet Zezura. Featured Seth Dickinson (Senior Narrative Designer), Artyom O'Rielly (Level Designer), James Stout (Environment Artist), and Ben Hale (Senior Environment Artist, described by the team as a "rock connoisseur"). Showcased the collaborative process behind creating Zezura's underwater environments, geological formations, and biome diversity.

Dev Vlog #3: Creating the Collector Leviathan

Released: September 16, 2025

A deep dive into the Collector Leviathan's design, animation, AI, and VFX. Featured Cory Strader (Visual Development Lead), Marcelo Figueredo (Lead Character Artist), Colin Knueppel (Principal Animator), Stefaan Sorensen (Senior Technical Animator), Laura Nedal (VFX Artist), Louis Karim (Game Designer), and Antonio Munoz Gallego (AI Gameplay Lead Engineer). The vlog walked through the creature from concept sketches to in-game implementation.

Dev Vlog #4: Crafting the Tadpole

Released: December 9, 2025

Featured the creation of the Tadpole submersible. Team members included Gallegos, Strader, Pedro Perez (Gameplay Designer), Ben Henry (3D Artist), and Andi Urwalek (Gameplay Programmer). The vlog showed the vehicle's design process "while paying homage to the beloved vehicles that came before it."

Dev Vlog #5: Diving Together in Multiplayer

Released: February 10, 2026

Focused entirely on co-op multiplayer mechanics. Featured Sverrir Berg (Backend Engineer), Jon Bjarnason (Lead Engineer), Stefan Sorensen (Technical Animator), Brandt Beach (Senior Animator), Adrian Lopez-Mobilia (Lead Gameplay Engineer), and Sam Dark (Programmer). Revealed cross-play details, drop-in/drop-out sessions, the Dive Elevator, and the animation challenges of making players visible to each other for the first time.

Gallegos stated: "The important distinction there is that any part of the game isn't going to require cooperative play."

Additional content

Beyond the numbered dev vlogs, Unknown Worlds also runs a Waterside Q&A series (text-based community questions answered by Community Manager Donya and Creative Producer Scott) and the Voices from Beyond audio drama. As of February 2026, no Dev Vlog #6 has been announced.