New genre invented: NS2 dev reveals Subnautica

Unknown Worlds, developer of popular strategic multiplayer FPS Natural Selection 2, has revealed their next game in development – Subnautica.

The team describes it as an open world underwater exploration and construction game, combining elements of role playing, sandbox, exploration, and cinematic gameplay, which they believe makes fro a whole new genre of game.

The development is in the very early stages, with the first prototypes coming to realisation. The team describes the goal:

Subnautica aims to elicit a feeling of experiencing the unknown: A sense that you are exploring an untouched world, not knowing how far, or how deep you can go. The underwater environment will invite you to construct submarines and develop your equipment in order to reach its far flung and diverse corners. Decisions you make about vessel layout, capabilities and structure will affect your ability to navigate hazards and enter the domains of creatures; the likes of which your imagination has never conceived of.

The team will be giving weekly updates on the progress by posting concept art, screenshots, and other elements of the process.

Close Encounter points to one of the most important aspects of Subnautica play: Interaction with impossibly diverse and fascinating creatures. Some of these creatures will be truly enormous, all of them will be unique. The question is, does this creature intend to harm the diver? Or just say hello?

Subnautica will allow you to design, construct and crew submarine vessels. Control Room is a concept that has served as reference for our first submarine interior prototypes.

Diversity of underwater environments is a key gameplay element of Subnautica. Lava Zone hints at an environement they may not necessarily be entirely friendly towards a player’s submarine! The submarine in the concept is indicative of the design style that some of Subnautica’s vessels will adopt.