Krafton has revealed that Subnautica 2 has sold over five million units since its early access launch, positioning the underwater survival title as a potential second major franchise IP for the company, following the success of PUBG. The publisher is exploring avenues for expansion, including potential sequels and various forms of crossover content.
According to Krafton's latest financial reports, a significant portion of Subnautica 2's player base, approximately half, did not play either the original Subnautica or Subnautica: Below Zero. Krafton attributes this influx of new players partly to the inclusion of a cooperative multiplayer mode, a feature that was met with some controversy prior to the game's release due to concerns it might detract from the solo experience. However, Unknown Worlds appears to have successfully balanced these elements.
Sophie Lee, head of investor relations at Krafton, stated that the early performance of Subnautica 2's early access launch "confirms both our scale-up capabilities and its potential to become our second franchise IP." She further noted that the game achieved a "highly successful early access launch, both in the numbers and in how users responded," while emphasizing the company's commitment to "community trust and game quality, maintaining stable service through to full launch." Krafton plans to "scale up the Subnautica IP with a long-term perspective."
CEO Changhan Kim elaborated on the success of the co-op feature, noting that it "confirmed the potential to expand beyond the existing fan base to new user groups." He highlighted the success in identifying an IP with a strong market position and scaling it through expanded co-op and content while retaining the core gameplay mechanics that defined the original titles. The publisher views the game's co-op mode as a key factor in its ability to attract a broader audience beyond the established Subnautica fanbase.