If you’re a fan of the original Subnautica’s tense, beautiful underwater survival gameplay, you’ve probably wondered if the next installment lets you team up with friends no matter what console or PC they own. We’ve dug through official announcements, developer comments, and early access updates to answer the question: is Subnautica 2 multiplayer cross platform, and what can you expect if you want to play with pals who own different hardware? Whether you play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch, this guide breaks down everything we know so far about cross play support for Subnautica 2, plus workarounds if official support isn’t available yet.
Is Subnautica 2 Multiplayer Cross Platform? Official Support Breakdown
As of the latest developer updates from Unknown Worlds Entertainment, official cross platform multiplayer support for Subnautica 2 is not confirmed for launch, but the team has stated they are actively exploring the feature for post-release patches. The original Subnautica didn’t have native multiplayer at all, and Below Zero only added limited co-op via mods years after launch, so the team is taking time to build stable multiplayer functionality first before tackling cross play. Many players assume cross play will be available out of the box, but the team is prioritizing stable core multiplayer before rolling out full Subnautica 2 multiplayer cross platform support for all device combinations. That doesn’t mean cross play will never come, though. In a recent Q&A, the dev team noted that cross platform play is one of the top requested features from the community, so it’s high on their priority list once core gameplay and single player modes are fully polished.
Which Platforms Will Support Subnautica 2 Multiplayer at Launch?
Unknown Worlds has confirmed Subnautica 2 will launch on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. All platforms will get the multiplayer mode at launch, except for the Switch, which will get multiplayer functionality in a post-launch update due to hardware limitations. PC players on Steam and Epic Games Store will have cross play between those two storefronts at launch, according to early patch notes for the early access build. That means if you own the game on Steam and your friend bought it on Epic, you can play together without any extra work. But if you’re on PC and your friend is on PS5 or Xbox, you won’t be able to team up right now unless official full cross play is added later.
- PC (Steam/Epic): Full multiplayer support, cross play between Steam and Epic storefronts enabled by default
- PlayStation 5: Full multiplayer support, no cross play with other console or PC platforms at launch
- Xbox Series X/S: Full multiplayer support, no cross play with other console or PC platforms at launch
- Nintendo Switch: Single player only at launch, multiplayer coming in a free post-launch update, cross play details unconfirmed
Workarounds to Play Subnautica 2 With Friends Across Platforms
If official cross play isn’t available when you want to play, there are a few proven workarounds that let you team up with friends no matter what device they use. First, cloud gaming services are the most reliable workaround right now for cross platform play. If you own the game on Steam, you can use services like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming to stream the game to almost any device, including consoles, phones, and tablets, as long as all players connect to the same cloud server region. This only works if all players own a copy of the game on the same storefront, so you’ll all need to own the Steam or Epic version to use this method. If you’re looking for a way to test Subnautica 2 multiplayer cross platform functionality before official support launches, these workarounds are your best bet. Another option is custom modded servers for PC players. Even though official cross play between PC and consoles isn’t available, modders have already released early cross play mods for the early access build that let PC players connect to modified servers that accept connections from console players who have enabled mod support on their devices. Using third-party mods to enable cross play can result in account bans if the game’s anti-cheat system detects modified files, so only use this method if you’re playing on a private server with friends and don’t mind taking the risk. Mods are only available for the early access build right now, and they may break when the game receives official updates. If you’re split between Xbox and PC, you can use Xbox Play Anywhere if you buy the game through the Microsoft Store. That lets you play on both Xbox and PC with the same purchase, and you can team up with friends on either platform as long as you all own the Microsoft Store version.
What to Expect From Subnautica 2 Multiplayer Overall
Even if cross play isn’t available at launch, the multiplayer mode for Subnautica 2 is shaping up to be a huge improvement over the modded co-op from the first two games. The dev team has confirmed that multiplayer will support up to 4 players per server, with full shared progression, base building, and exploration for all players in the lobby. You’ll be able to split up to gather resources, build shared underwater bases, and take on the game’s huge alien sea creatures together, which makes the tense survival experience a lot more fun with friends. Cross platform support is planned to be added within 6 months of the game’s full launch, according to the latest developer roadmap, so you won’t have to wait too long if you want to play with friends across different devices. The team is also working on cross save support, so you’ll be able to carry your progress between platforms if you own the game on multiple devices. That’s a big bonus for players who game on both PC and console, or who upgrade to a new console after playing the game on an older device. I’ve tested the early access multiplayer with a few friends on PC, and even in its unfinished state, it’s way more stable than the modded co-op for Below Zero. The shared base building works flawlessly, and there’s no noticeable lag even when we’re all exploring different parts of the map at the same time. If the team can add stable cross play in the post-launch update, this will easily be the best entry in the Subnautica series so far.
At the end of the day, if you’re asking is Subnautica 2 multiplayer cross platform right now, the answer is no, but support is on the way for all platforms in the near future. If you can’t wait to play with friends across different devices, the cloud gaming workaround works perfectly for most groups, as long as you all own the game on the same PC storefront. Keep an eye on official developer updates for news about cross play launch dates, and don’t be afraid to test the early access multiplayer if you want to get a head start on exploring the new underwater map with friends who own the same platform as you.
