If you’re a fan of the original Subnautica’s tense, beautiful underwater survival gameplay, you’ve probably already scoured the internet for every crumb of news about the upcoming sequel. One question pops up more than almost any other in fan forums and social media threads: will Subnautica 2 be on Game Pass? It makes sense to ask, too: Microsoft’s subscription service has become one of the most affordable ways to play new releases day one, especially for Xbox and PC players who don’t want to drop $70 on every new title. We’ve pulled together every confirmed detail, credible rumor, and industry pattern to give you the clearest possible answer, plus tips to make sure you don’t miss out on launch day.
Will Subnautica 2 Be on Game Pass? What We Know Right Now
First, let’s break down the official context that shapes this answer. Back in 2022, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the studio behind the Subnautica franchise, announced a formal partnership with Xbox Game Studios to develop and publish the sequel. That means Subnautica 2 counts as a first-party Xbox title for its initial launch window. 99% of first-party Xbox Game Studios titles launch on Game Pass day one at no extra cost for subscribers, and there’s no indication Subnautica 2 will be an exception to this rule.
The original Subnautica and its standalone expansion Subnautica: Below Zero both performed exceptionally well on Game Pass, driving millions of new players to the franchise that might never have picked it up at full retail price. Xbox has repeatedly highlighted the Subnautica series as a success story for the service, so they have every incentive to put the sequel on Game Pass to replicate that reach. As of now, there has been no official statement denying Game Pass availability, so the odds of it being there at launch are extremely high.
That means if your top question leading up to launch is will Subnautica 2 be on Game Pass, you can rest easy knowing all signs point to yes. We still recommend waiting for official confirmation closer to launch, but it’s one of the safest bets in modern gaming right now.
Why Game Pass Availability Matters for Subnautica Fans
Even if you’re used to buying games outright, getting Subnautica 2 via Game Pass comes with a long list of perks that make it worth considering, especially if you play on both console and PC. For casual players who only finish a handful of games a year, the cost savings alone are enough to make the subscription worth it. For long-time fans of the franchise, the extra benefits add even more value.
- No upfront $70 purchase cost for active subscribers, saving you money for planned DLC, in-game cosmetic packs, or new controller accessories later
- Cross-save support across Xbox Series X/S, PC, and xCloud if you have Game Pass Ultimate, so you can pick up your playthrough right where you left off no matter what device you’re using
- Early access to pre-release betas and in-game events exclusive to Game Pass members for many first-party titles, which means you could test new biomes or multiplayer features months before the full launch
- Instant access to the entire Subnautica back catalog, which is already included in the service as of 2024, so you can replay the original games to refresh your memory of the story before the sequel drops
Even if you only subscribe to Game Pass for one month, you can play through the entire main campaign of Subnautica 2 for far less than the full retail price. I first played the original Subnautica via a $1 Game Pass trial back in 2021, and I never would have picked it up if I had to pay full price, so I know firsthand how much the service can open up the franchise to new fans who might be on the fence.
What to Do If Subnautica 2 Isn’t on Game Pass at Launch
While it’s extremely unlikely, there’s always a small chance of a last-minute delay for Game Pass availability, even for first-party titles. Some games have been added to the service a week or two after launch due to last-minute technical bugs or licensing issues, so it’s good to have a backup plan if you want to play the second it comes out.
Even if the unthinkable happens and the answer to will Subnautica 2 be on Game Pass is no at launch, you still have plenty of affordable options to play the game without paying full price. First, you can pre-order the digital version via the Microsoft Store, which usually comes with exclusive in-game bonus items like custom base skins or early access to a unique starting biome. If you already own the original Subnautica on Xbox, you might also qualify for a 10-15% pre-order discount, so it’s worth checking your account for offers before you buy.
You can also sign up for official Game Pass new release alerts, which will send you a notification the second the game is added to the service. You can often find 1-month Game Pass Ultimate trial codes for $1 or less from authorized retailers if you're a new subscriber, so even if you wait a couple of weeks for it to hit the service, you can still play it for almost nothing. Xbox almost never takes longer than 30 days to add a first-party title to Game Pass, so you won’t be waiting long even if there is a short delay.
Other Key Launch Details to Know for Subnautica 2
Beyond Game Pass availability, there are a few other key details you should keep in mind as you wait for the sequel’s launch. First, the game will be a timed Xbox exclusive, which means it will only be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC for the first 12 months after release. The timed exclusivity window for Xbox means PlayStation and Switch players will have to wait at least a year to play Subnautica 2, regardless of subscription services. There’s no word yet on if it will come to PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online after the exclusivity window ends, but that’s a possibility further down the line.
The sequel will also include 4-player co-op, a feature long requested by fans of the original single-player focused games. Cross-play is confirmed for all Xbox and PC players, so you can team up with friends no matter which platform they use to access the game. That means if you’re playing on PC via PC Game Pass, you can join a lobby with a friend playing on Xbox Series X via their console Game Pass subscription, no extra work required.
Development is still ongoing, so no firm release date has been announced as of now, but industry insiders expect a launch window in the next 18 months. The studio has teased new biomes, more dangerous deep-sea creatures, and a deeper story that ties into the lore of the first two games, so there’s a lot to look forward to for long-time fans.
At the end of the day, all signs point to a yes when you ask will Subnautica 2 be on Game Pass. The partnership between Unknown Worlds and Xbox Game Studios, the track record of first-party titles launching on the service, and the lack of any official statement to the contrary all make it one of the safest bets in modern gaming. If you're planning to play the sequel as soon as it drops, signing up for Game Pass now is one of the most affordable ways to do it, and you'll get access to hundreds of other great survival, adventure, and indie games in the process. Just keep an eye on official Subnautica social channels for the final confirmation in the months leading up to launch.
