Time Capsules

Time Capsules are a community feature in the original Subnautica that let players leave messages and items for other players to find. They are created during the game's ending sequence and discovered during exploration.

Creating a capsule

Before launching the Neptune Escape Rocket, players can interact with a Time Capsule console in the cockpit. Each capsule contains a custom written message, a screenshot, and a small selection of items (materials, tools, or certain fish). Creating a capsule is optional, it is not required to launch the rocket.

Community voting

Submitted capsules enter a voting queue where other players can upvote or downvote them. Capsules with more than 10 upvotes are reviewed by the developers through a two-layer approval process to filter spoilers and inappropriate content. Approved capsules are added to a central server's distribution list.

Finding capsules

A game world can spawn up to 40 Time Capsules, scattered randomly on the seabed. They can only be found through visual exploration. The Scanner Room has no option to locate them. Opening a capsule gives the player its contents, and the message and screenshot are saved to the PDA's Data Bank tab for later reading. Time Capsules appear as egg-shaped containers with a glowing panel.

Community reception

Time Capsules became one of the original Subnautica's most beloved features. Players left heartfelt survival tips, farewell messages, jokes, and rare items for strangers to discover months or years later. The asynchronous connection between players in a single-player game resonated with the community. The feature was not carried over to Below Zero. Whether Subnautica 2 will include a similar system has not been announced.