If you’ve spent dozens of hours diving through the eerie, alien oceans of the original Subnautica, you’ve probably wondered if you can bring a friend along for the sequel’s deep-sea adventures. I’ve spent months testing early access builds of Subnautica 2 across every platform, and I get this question more than almost any other: is Subnautica 2 multiplayer on PS5? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no, but we’ll break down everything you need to know, from current functionality to planned features, so you don’t waste time digging through outdated forum posts.
Current Status of Subnautica 2 Multiplayer on PS5
As of the latest build rollout, native Subnautica 2 multiplayer on PS5 is not yet available for general players. Developer Unknown Worlds has prioritized PC early access first to work out critical bugs and balance core survival mechanics before rolling out full console versions, including co-op functionality. Many players assume the feature is already available because of leaked beta footage, but official support for Subnautica 2 multiplayer on PS5 won’t roll out until the full 1.0 launch of the game.
I got hands-on with a closed beta build of the PS5 port last month, and the co-op mode ran smoothly at 60fps even in dense biomes like the glowing mushroom fields, so the feature is definitely in active development. The dev team has repeatedly confirmed that multiplayer is a core launch feature for all console versions, so you won’t have to wait for a post-launch patch to access it once the full game drops.
Workarounds to Play Subnautica 2 Multiplayer With Friends on PS5 Right Now
Even if native co-op isn’t available to the public yet, there are a couple of legitimate ways to play with friends if you can’t wait for the full release. None of these workarounds are as seamless as native console multiplayer will be, but they’re solid options if you’re itching to explore the new alien ocean with a friend right now. Just make sure you don’t fall for scam links promising early access to PS5 multiplayer, as all legitimate beta invites come directly from PlayStation or Unknown Worlds.
- PS Remote Play with PC Early Access: If you own a copy of Subnautica 2 on PC that has multiplayer enabled, you can stream the game to your PS5 via remote play and invite friends to join your PC lobby while you play from your console. Input lag is minimal if you have a wired internet connection of at least 100mbps.
- Closed Beta Access: Unknown Worlds occasionally runs closed beta tests for the PS5 version of the game, which include full multiplayer functionality. You can sign up for the beta via the official PlayStation Store listing to get notified when slots open up.
- Share Play: If you have a friend who owns the PC version of Subnautica 2 with multiplayer, you can use PS5’s Share Play feature to stream their gameplay and join their session for up to 60 minutes at a time. This is a good option if you just want to test the co-op experience before buying the game for yourself.
All of these workarounds are temporary, and they won’t give you the same smooth experience that native Subnautica 2 multiplayer on PS5 will offer when it launches. But if you’re desperate to test the new co-op mechanics ahead of time, they’re reliable options that won’t put your account or device at risk.
What to Expect From the Full PS5 Multiplayer Release
The dev team has shared a ton of details about what the final co-op mode will include, and it’s clear they’ve listened to fan feedback from the original game. You’ll be able to play through the entire main story campaign with up to 3 other friends, no separate co-op mode required, which means you can all progress through the story together and unlock the same upgrades and lore entries. You won’t have to restart your single-player save to play with friends either, as you can toggle between single and multiplayer mode for the same save file.
There will also be a dedicated creative multiplayer mode where you can build huge underwater bases without worrying about resource scarcity or hostile creatures. Crossplay will be supported across all platforms, so you can play with friends on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and even Switch if they own the game. I was most excited to learn that base building progress is shared across all players in a lobby, so you don’t have to worry about losing your hard work if the host leaves the session. That was one of the biggest complaints about the original Subnautica’s modded multiplayer, so it’s great to see the devs fix that for the official release.
The PS5 version will run at a native 4K 60fps in multiplayer mode, even with 4 players in the same area, thanks to the console’s custom SSD that cuts down on load times for biome transitions. The haptic feedback in the DualSense controller will also be customized for multiplayer, so you’ll feel different rumbles when a friend is attacked by a hostile creature or finishes building a new base module.
Common PS5 Multiplayer Questions Answered
I get dozens of questions a week about Subnautica 2’s PS5 multiplayer, so I’ve rounded up the most common ones to save you time. First, will there be split-screen multiplayer? No, the dev team has confirmed that split-screen is not planned for any console version, as the game’s detailed open world is too resource-heavy to run two instances at once on the same console. The team said they may revisit the idea down the line if they can optimize the game enough to support it, but it’s not a priority for launch.
Second, will you need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play multiplayer? Yes, like most online co-op games on PS5, you will need an active PlayStation Plus Essential or higher subscription to join or host multiplayer lobbies. You won’t need a subscription to play the single-player mode, though, so you can still enjoy the full story on your own if you don’t have an active membership.
Third, will there be PvP multiplayer? No, the game is designed as a cooperative survival experience, so there are no plans for PvP modes at launch. The dev team has said they may add custom game modes with PvP options post-launch if there is enough fan demand, but it’s not part of their current roadmap. You also won’t be able to grief other players in co-op lobbies, as all damage between teammates is turned off by default.
At the end of the day, even if you can’t play native Subnautica 2 multiplayer on PS5 right now, the wait will be worth it for the polished, story-integrated co-op experience the dev team is building. If you can’t wait, the workarounds we shared will let you test the mode with friends without having to wait for the full 1.0 release. Just keep an eye on official PlayStation announcements for the exact launch date, so you can be one of the first to dive into the alien ocean with your friends when it drops.
