Subnautica 2 Hotfix 1 Fixes Save Compatibility and Collector Leviathan Problems
The Buddy System follow-up also addresses localization, base-building, vehicle, Proximity Chat, crash, and multiplayer bugs.
Subnautica 2 Early Access received Buddy System Hotfix 1 on September 1, bringing a wide set of fixes for saves, bases, creatures, vehicles, multiplayer, and localization. The update also improves save compatibility by recording each file’s build number and branch, which helps prevent incompatible saves from loading in older builds.
Unknown Worlds detailed the changes in its Steam announcement. The hotfix follows the larger Buddy System release, with several fixes aimed at making co-op sessions less troublesome.
Base owners should see fewer oddities involving refunds, construction data, power transmitters, and currents inside shelters. Multiplayer clients can now move exterior furniture correctly, while players riding a Tadpole or Haul will reliably receive oxygen. Inventory sharing also received several corrections, including a fix for problems that could occur after driving away from another player or dying during a shared inventory interaction.
Out in the water, the Collector Leviathan now has better pathing through lower canyon areas and tighter collision detection. The hotfix also increases tracker detection radius, corrects Water Slug breath markers, and blocks exploits that could release players from an aggressive creature’s grip.
Unknown Worlds says the update may take time to reach every region. Players using mods should disable or remove them before launching after the hotfix, since outdated mods can cause crashes or other launch problems. Mods can be restored after their creators update them, and the developer also provides startup-crash support guidance.
Subnautica 2 Early Access Buddy System Hotfix 1 patch notes
The largest changes target save handling and co-op interactions, but the hotfix also includes localization corrections, creature behavior adjustments, a Proximity Chat input fix, and several engine and crash-reporting updates.
- Corrected localization issue where some PDA and Databank descriptions were not displaying with translations.
- Corrected new Pioneer names (Jegna and Grace) not being displayed with translations.
- Fixed items stored on wall racks not being properly refunded when using “Refund Base.”
- Fixed exterior furniture not being movable when playing as a client in multiplayer.
- Cleaned up leftover data from the base item spawn system to reduce save bloat.
- Fixed base construction ghost data lingering in saves after builds were completed.
- Fixed the base power transmitter beam appearing offset and flickering oddly, added subtle randomization to its flicker VFX for a more natural look.
- Players can no longer be released from an aggressive creature’s grip via certain exploits.
- Improved pathing for the Collector Leviathan in the lower canyon areas, and tightened its collision detection.
- Increased tracker detection radius.
- Water Slug breath markers now correctly appear only when the Slug is a physical object in the world, not while it’s in the player’s inventory.
- Fixed currents affecting players while sheltered inside bases.
- Fixed a collision issue that blocked interaction with the Scout Ray chassis carry point.
- Players attached to a Tadpole or Haul now reliably receive oxygen replenishment.
- Blocked inventory sharing while riding in a Tadpole.
- Fixed the inventory share popup not dismissing after driving away from another player.
- Fixed an issue where dying while inventory sharing could cause problems.
- Save files now track build number and branch, preventing incompatible saves from being loaded into older builds.
- Fixed save/version compatibility tooltip not displaying correctly.
- Added improved error logging for save failures (“Platform write failed for save slot”).
- Removed outdated save compatibility file no longer needed on any platform.
- Fixed a softlock that could occur on the character select screen.
- Fixed alignment guidelines appearing skewed for distant objects.
- Enabled the analytics settings toggle and removed conditions that could incorrectly disable it.
- Fixed an issue with the “Moonpool shrink mode” not properly checking for collisions.
- Added new subtitle/text string for the Air Bladder inhale action.
- Fixed push-to-talk input issue for Proximity Chat.
- Various engine and crash reporting refactors for more reliable diagnostics.
- General compile and build stability fixes.
Are you still waiting for the hotfix to reach your build, or have these fixes cleared up a problem in your underwater base? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Subnautica 2
Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure set on an all-new alien world, developed by Unknown Worlds. Play alone or with friends in 4-player co-op. Adapt to survive by building custom bases and crafting tools. Explore the unknown to uncover the mysteries hidden within the depths.
- Genre Adventure
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Perspective First person
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release May 14, 2026
- Publisher Unknown Worlds Entertainment
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Age Rating
