Video recreation writer Krafton launched a report that appeared to suggest underwater survival sim Subnautica 2 can be a multiplayer-focused live-service recreation, which dissatisfied and annoyed many followers. But now the devs have shortly clarified that no, this isn’t the case and as an alternative the sport goes to only obtain common updates throughout early entry, like the unique Subnautica.
Over the final 12 months or so “stay service” has grow to be a nasty time period, one which players appear increasingly more disgusted by, even when it appears plenty of studios and publishers are betting the farm on these so-called “perpetually” video games being the longer term. So it’s not shocking that some folks panicked when it appeared that Subnautica 2—a sequel to the favored, single-player story-driven underwater survival recreation from 2018— one other live-service factor.
As reported by IGN, a February 8 monetary report from Krafton caught the eye of oldsters when it talked about that the upcoming Subnautica 2 was being designed utilizing the “Games as a Service” mannequin. Folks shortly assumed the worst: that this was a live-service recreation that may characteristic battle passes and seasons and all that stuff. It didn’t assist that the report additionally claimed the sequel was going to be multiplayer-focused, an enormous departure from the primary recreation. Quickly, folks received out their pitchforks and started yelling that one more franchise was being ruined by live-service shenanigans. But fortunately for these involved gamers, that’s not the case.
Subnautica 2 devs set the file straight
Shortly after the report went public and information unfold of Subnautica 2 being a live-service recreation, the builders—Unknown Worlds—stepped in and clarified in a weblog publish that it isn’t that type of recreation.
“In reference to ‘Games-as-a-Service,’ we merely plan to repeatedly replace the sport for a few years to come back, identical to the earlier two Subnautica video games,” defined the devs. “Think our Early Access replace mannequin, expanded. No season passes. No battle passes. No subscription.”
The studio additionally claimed the sport isn’t “multiplayer-focused.” Instead, co-op is “non-compulsory” and people will be capable of expertise the total recreation by themselves.
Finally, the devs additionally defined that Subnautica 2’s early entry launch isn’t deliberate for 2024 and that they may share extra data “later this 12 months.”
“Thanks for conserving an eye fixed out for any information about our progress on the subsequent recreation,” the devs added. “We’re so excited to point out you what we’ve been engaged on and hope that you simply like it as a lot as we do.”
While it would appear to be plenty of of us overreacted, the fact is that with stories of so many live-service video games in improvement and after so many have failed to stay round or end up nicely, plenty of players are jumpy about games-as-a-service and live-service “perpetually” video games.
I count on—in an effort to keep away from these conditions—we are going to see some studios attempt to provide you with a brand new time period for video games that simply get occasional updates and patches, however which don’t have any different “stay” components, like battle passes or seasons. For now, you’ll be able to all loosen up. Subnautica 2 isn’t going to be a live-service factor like Suicide Squad.