Subnautica 2 moves base building away from fixed pieces toward a procedural, sculptural system
Unknown Worlds Entertainment has revealed a major overhaul to base construction in Subnautica 2, with developers describing a procedural system that replaces most fixed building pieces and gives players far finer control over structure appearance.
Constructing a personal lab will remain a central part of underwater exploration, and the studio laid out the new approach in its latest development vlog. Kiel McDonald, the game’s base design lead, said in the development vlog, “This is a brand new system, I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this in any other survival game.” Milan Singh, senior gameplay engineer, added that the team is “using some techniques that haven’t been used in games like this before.”
From blocks to sculpting
Rather than forcing players to pick prebuilt shapes and tiles, the team has moved toward procedural generation that lets players fine-tune elements at a granular level. McDonald described the result as “a much more sculptural and expressive system,” and footage in the vlog shows architects adding curves and aesthetic options to structures instead of snapping together blocky modules.
The developers highlighted window creation as a concrete example of the new freedom. Carolyn Lu, senior engineer, explained that the old approach relied on a handful of sheets of glass and plastic. With the procedural tools, she said, “you can make windows in whatever shape you want.” That change opens up custom silhouettes, angled panes and nonrectangular openings that follow the player’s design intent rather than a preset menu of parts.
The team framed the system as enabling more ambitious bases and personal expression while still supporting core survival gameplay. Subnautica 2 is due to enter early access in 2026.
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Subnautica 2
Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment
