Subnautica 2’s Major Update Introduces Fish Shooting Feature

Subnautica 2 made a splash in early access this May, garnering positive feedback and selling a staggering 1 million copies within just an hour (and now surpassing 4 million). However, a notable debate has emerged among players regarding the game’s approach to violence—or the absence of it.

Some players are eager to take down the monstrous fish they encounter, while others, including the developers, appreciate the game’s non-lethal stance. The first major update offers a compromise: players can now shoot and stun fish, but they still can’t be killed.

Developer Unknown Worlds rolled out this significant update, titled Adaptive Measures, on Wednesday. It brings various enhancements and introduces new features, such as the ability to sprint. A key highlight is the Sonic Resonator tool, which now functions as a stun gun, allowing players to zap any bothersome fish.

In an update vlog, game design lead Anthony Gallegos shared that the team has improved the Sonic Resonator, enabling many creatures to enter a stunned state when hit. Players can see this in action, as fish will go limp after being struck, but rest assured—they’re just stunned, not dead.

Additionally, creature flinch animations have been refined, making it clearer when a creature is startled and ready to flee after being hit with a tool. These adjustments aim to enhance the player’s experience of managing encounters with creatures, which has been a significant aspect of community feedback.

Community input during the early access phase is crucial for Unknown Worlds. Creative media producer Scott MacDonald noted that releasing content early has led to better insights into player interests.

Subnautica 2 has already evolved significantly over the past two months, thanks to various hotfixes and this major update. The game will continue to develop during early access, with the full 1.0 launch estimated to be two to three years away. The next milestone on the roadmap is the Early Access 1.2 update, though a release date has yet to be announced.