Subnautica 2's explosive early access debut has collided with an unexpected flashpoint: the complete inability to kill fish. The decision to lock out all direct combat against aquatic life has fractured the player base, forcing developers at Unknown Worlds to publicly defend their vision while acknowledging the debate may reshape the game before full release.
The game launched with two million copies sold in 12 hours and shattered the original Subnautica's concurrent player records on Steam. Yet within weeks, a single design choice became inescapable in Discord channels and forums. Players can encounter predators that attack them, take damage from those encounters, but possess no weapon or direct method to strike back. A flare gun exists to deter fish, but it consumes precious inventory space most players refuse to spare.
Unlike the first Subnautica, which allowed fish hunting, the sequel enforces an anti-combat philosophy. Level designer Artyom O'Rielly framed it bluntly in the Subnautica Discord: "We aren't a killing game. Go play Sons of the Forest or something if you want to kill."
Unknown Worlds' thesis rejects domination of the alien environment. The studio wanted to push players toward evasion, adaptation, and tool-based problem solving rather than point-and-shoot solutions. But the execution has exposed a gap between intention and feel.
Environmental artist "uly" emerged as the studio's chief spokesperson on the controversy and provided the most candid assessment yet. The developer confirmed that fish killing is "a HOT topic" consuming internal discussions. "There are so many opinions," uly said on Discord, noting that "the conversation around the ways fish die isn't over."
Uly's own position splits the difference: allow players to cull small fish, but keep predators the size of sharks and larger off-limits. "When you bump into a predator you shouldn't be going 'uuuuuugh what a pain,' you should be going, 'Ah man... what tools do I have up my sleeve to deal with this guy?'" the artist explained.
The developer also pointed to deterrent tools as the intended path forward. Flares should work better and take less inventory real estate. "You prob won't be able to kill the shark sized stuff and larger, but you'll get tools to deter them," uly said, while admitting "Killing little fish? I'm not in charge of that stuff, but it's an active discussion in the team."
Any shift toward fish killing would demand substantial engineering work. Uly cited game balance, mechanics, animation, sound, and artificial intelligence as areas requiring overhaul. "We've had this conversation a TON internally," the developer said. "Regardless of where we land, we know that players don't have enough ways to deal with hostile wildlife."
The early access roadmap released last week makes no mention of combat mechanics or fish killing systems. Unknown Worlds said it's targeting a "big drop" that will add biomes, creatures, tools, vehicles, and story chapters. Upcoming patches will focus on quality-of-life improvements and cooperative play enhancements first.
On Reddit and in community spaces, confusion persists among new players. Some ask which weapon works against fish, unaware none exist. Others defend the restriction as opening creative design space. "It'll open up the devs to add more progression elements to deter or distract or pacify fish," one player wrote. "Knifing them is probably the least interesting solution from a gameplay perspective."
The disconnect between designer vision and player expectation has become Subnautica 2's most contentious opening chapter. How Unknown Worlds resolves it could determine whether the game feels like survival or mere inconvenience.
Author Emily Chen: "The devs are in a bind: they want players to think creatively about predators, but right now the only option is avoidance, and that's not scratching the itch for a sizeable chunk of the community."
Comments