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If 2025 was remembered for high-profile indie hits, then 2026, at least for now, looks like a year of successful early access projects. Subnautica 2 is one of them. The game was released in early access only a week ago, but it has become one of the most talked about releases. There are already more than 73 thousand reviews on Steam, 91% of which are positive.
The debut of Subnautica 2 can truly be considered an explosive one. In just 12 hours after its release in Early Access, the game has passed the impressive milestone of 2 million copies sold worldwide, taking the top spot on Steam’s global sales charts. A new report from Alinea Analytics shows that the game sold more than 4 million copies in a week. It is reported that Subnautica 2 has already generated about $100 million in revenue.
Such indicators allowed it to become the fastest-selling game on Steam in 2026 in the first five days after its release, according to Alinea Analytics. In sales pace, it is three times faster than Crimson Desert and almost twice as fast as Resident Evil Requiem.
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The report also notes that the vast majority of sales are on Steam, while the Xbox version has sold less than 100 thousand copies. This did not come as a surprise, as the main audience of Subnautica has traditionally been formed on Steam. In addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers got access to Subnautica 2 as part of their subscription, so they didn’t have to buy the game separately.
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This is not so surprising, considering that Subnautica 2 had more than 5.5 million adds to the wishlist before its release. But, as you know, the number of additions to the wishlist does not guarantee the corresponding level of sales.
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Currently, Subnautica 2 has every chance of becoming one of the best-selling games of 2026, although the project is already facing some challenges. Unknown Worlds has published an open letter to players in which it talked about major fixes in response to the community’s wishes for better ways to fight predatory sea creatures. The studio does not plan to implement the mechanics of direct destruction of fish, as it would contradict one of the key principles of the game. However, the developers are preparing a number of balance changes that will affect the effectiveness of defense tools and the level of aggression of the most dangerous marine creatures.
By the way, Steam is currently hosting the Ocean Festival, which means steep discounts on games with the corresponding theme. For example, the first Subnautica will be available with a 75% discount as part of the sale, as well as Subnautica: Below Zero. The Ocean Festival will run on Steam until May 25.
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