Subnautica 2 Experimental Branch Released

Greetings, fellow ocean explorers,
True to our commitment to transparent, community-driven development during Early Access, we are thrilled to release the Subnautica 2 Experimental branch today on Steam.
This opt-in branch is designed for adventurers who want an early sneak peek at upcoming features. It also serves as a crucial testing ground, helping our team squash bugs and iron out wrinkles before pushing updates to the main Early Access channel.
True to its name, this branch is strictly experimental. Expect encountering unstable builds, unexpected crashes, or progression-blocking glitches. Because of this, we strongly advise against getting too attached to your save files while playing on this version.
Please note that save files are completely isolated between versions; you cannot transfer progress back and forth. However, there is no need to worry about accidentally overwriting your main game. Save directories are kept entirely separate, meaning your standard saves will temporarily vanish from the menu while you are in Experimental, but they will reappear safely the moment you switch back.
Unlike previous titles in the franchise like Subnautica and Below Zero, the Experimental branch will not receive daily patches this time around. Instead, fresh builds will drop shortly before major public updates roll out, alongside occasional smaller hotfixes.
Curious to take the plunge? Here is how you can opt in.
How to Access the Steam Experimental Branch
- Launch your Steam Library and right-click on Subnautica 2.
- Choose Properties from the menu.
- Navigate to the Game Versions & Betas tab.
- Locate the Beta Participation dropdown menu and select the Experimental branch.
- Exit the properties window, and Steam will automatically initiate the download.
For deeper insights into how the Experimental branch operates, including guidelines on submitting effective bug reports and sharing your feedback, please consult the official support FAQ.
As always, thank you for your unwavering support and enthusiasm for Subnautica 2.
Keep diving!
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