Subnautica 2
Co-op Multiplayer Guide
At a Glance
- Max players
- 4 (1 host + 3 friends)
- Modes
- Online only
- No local split-screen
- Crossplay
- PC & Xbox
- Steam · Epic · Xbox · Game Pass via Epic Online Services
- Networking
- Peer-to-peer
- Host's connection quality sets the floor for all players
- Game version
- Must match exactly
- No cross-version joining
- Save conversion
- Single-player ↔ multiplayer
- Convert either way from the main menu
Joining a Session
The host generates a 6-digit alphanumeric invite code from the Social tab in-game. Share that code with friends — they enter it in the Join Game menu to connect.
↳ Sessions use peer-to-peer networking — there's no dedicated server. If you have a strict NAT (Type 3) your friends may have trouble connecting.
↳ Players who disconnect can rejoin mid-session; a bug causing clients to revert to their previous position on rejoin was fixed in Hotfix 3.
Shared Progression
The moment any player in the session scans something, everyone benefits. Most progression is pooled.
- Blueprints & recipes— Scanning a creature, resource, or wreck grants the blueprint to every player
- Databank entries— Shared as soon as any player collects one — only one black box needs to be found per group
- Base storage— Every locker, fabricator output, and base container is accessible to all players
What Stays Separate
Your character and the items on it are yours alone.
- Personal inventory— Items on your character are private; only base containers are shared
- Adaptations— Biomod upgrades are per-player and don't carry over to other players
- New-player joins— A player joining an existing world does not inherit the host's items, Adaptations, or unlocks
Note: private inventory options are on the roadmap but not available at Early Access launch. Resources in shared containers are not protected — other players can take them freely.
Death & Respawn
- Respawn point: the last biobed you interacted with and set as your respawn point.
- Dropped items: everything in your inventory at the time of death is left at the death location inside a yellow container with a human-outline hologram. Other players can collect it.
- No compass marker — the game doesn't mark your death location on the compass, so retrieval can be tricky.
- No teammate revival at launch — players cannot revive one another. Revival is planned for the EA 1.2 update.
Creature AI in Co-op
Specific aggro behavior (whether threats split targeting or focus a single player) is not well-documented for the current build and is subject to change with patches. What is confirmed:
- ↳ Aggro manipulation works — one player can pull a creature's attention while another uses a Tadpole to extract them from danger.
- ↳ Assign roles before entering leviathan areas: one navigator, one on pickup duty.
Treat any specific aggro-split or distraction claims you read elsewhere with caution — this behavior is patch-sensitive and may not reflect the current version.
Planned Co-op Features
The second major Early Access update (EA 1.2) is focused on co-op improvements. These features are not available at launch:
- ○Teammate revival
- ○HUD signals— ping system for marking objects and locations
- ○Built-in voice chat
- ○Emotes
- ○Player customization— currently 4 pre-designed characters
- ○Player trading
- ○Private / separate inventory option
Common Questions
Is Subnautica 2 co-op available on Game Pass?
Yes. Co-op is available at launch through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Can I play with someone on Xbox if I'm on Steam?
Yes. Crossplay is supported between Steam, Epic, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass, unified through Epic Online Services.
Is this the first Subnautica game with multiplayer?
Yes. Subnautica 2 is the first game in the series to include optional multiplayer support.
Was co-op added later or was it in at launch?
Co-op was available from the Early Access launch on May 14, 2026. The second major update will expand it with additional features.