Subnautica 2 creative director Anthony Gallegos believes that developers should release new features as early as possible in Early Access, even if they are "very ugly, incomplete, or prototype." This approach, he argues, allows players to witness the development process firsthand and foster a sense of shared creation.
Gallegos highlighted how the original Subnautica, a notable success in Steam's Early Access program since its 2014 launch, benefited from incorporating player observations. Many of the game's impactful elements, such as the horror-infused encounters with creatures like the Reaper Leviathan, evolved through observing player and streamer experiences.
"Unknown Worlds have 'cultivated a very empathetic audience through radical transparency,'" Gallegos stated in a discussion with GamesIndustry.biz. He emphasized that this trust works both ways: the developers trust the audience to offer constructive feedback, and the audience trusts the developers to refine the game over time. "Be honest with them and make them understand how crucial they are to the process," he advised. "Preserve your vision, but listen to them and let them help you bring the best out of your game."
Gallegos acknowledged that "early access" can encompass a wide spectrum, from long-term open development like Unknown Worlds practices, to games nearing a 1.0 release that function more as a paid beta. The increasing number of Early Access titles, with 2,924 games launching on Steam this year alone according to SteamDB, presents a challenge for newer developers. They may struggle to meet player expectations that are often set by established studios with significant resources, such as Unknown Worlds.
This philosophy remains central to Unknown Worlds' development of Subnautica 2, which is set to receive an update that includes new mechanical frogs and additional content. Gallegos's perspective invites a broader discussion on player expectations for Early Access games and the varying degrees of imperfection they are willing to overlook in exchange for transparent development and eventual polish.