Subnautica 2 appears to be ready for early access.

Subnautica 2 is reportedly set to launch in Early Access in May, despite ongoing disagreements between developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment and publisher Krafton. While no specific Early Access date has been announced, internal documents suggest the game is expected to launch in May on PC and Xbox.

Krafton and Unknown Worlds prepare for Subnautica 2 Early Access.

The underwater survival game  Subnautica 2  was initially planned for an Early Access release in 2025. However,  Krafton  unexpectedly changed the leadership of its developer, Unknown Worlds Entertainment (UWE), in mid-year, just before delaying the Early Access launch. This delay also meant that the $250 million prize money would not be paid out. This, combined with other factors, led to a ongoing lawsuit between Krafton and Unknown Worlds.

Recently, a judge ruled to reinstate Ted Gill, the leader of Unknown Worlds. Additionally, according to IGN, the Early Access phase appears to be ready. Unknown Worlds director Steve Papoutsis recently sent an email to the  Subnautica 2 development team,  thanking them for bringing the game "closer to the finish line." This announcement confirms that both UWE and Krafton have agreed on an Early Access launch in May.

According to the email, there will be many new story chapters, new creatures, and new biomes – enough to surpass internal review milestones. The two companies currently have "absolute confidence" in their ability to deliver "an experience players will love." Additionally, the email mentions Ted Gill's reinstatement. While the court ruling required Gill to be given full control of development, the upcoming Early Access phase, and the game's launch, this ruling is not yet fully effective. Nevertheless, it seems Krafton is still supporting the current plan.

Krafton still intends to appeal.

In a statement to IGN, Krafton confirmed that the content of the internal email was entirely accurate, and the company's goal is indeed to launch  Subnautica 2 Early Access  this coming May. A  Krafton  representative stated,  "While we disagree with this week's court ruling and will explore other legal options, our goal remains to minimize disruption to the development team and game release plans. We remain committed to fostering openness and close collaboration with the community to deliver the best possible player experience."

Since legal disputes erupted, the game's promotional activities have been inconsistent. Therefore, fans hope this will provide more information before its Early Access launch. Currently, the game has only revealed a few features such as the Co-op mode and new sea creatures, so there's certainly more noteworthy content to come.

The impact of the court ruling on Krafton is unclear, but last October, the company announced its focus on "AI-first" development, even stating its willingness to buy back contracts to accelerate this process. However, with both Krafton and Unknown Worlds committed to developing the game in early access with community support, patient players may soon be rewarded.