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Subnautica 2 Server Hosting Guide 2026

Subnautica 2 Guide • Updated Jan 11, 2026

Subnautica 2 Server Hosting Guide 2026

Subnautica 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed underwater survival game. Official multiplayer support for up to 4 players. Explore alien oceans together with your friends.

🌊 Quick Overview

  • Status: Early Access 2026
  • Players: Up to 4 players
  • Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (Crossplay)
  • Genre: Underwater Survival
  • Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
  • Feature: First official multiplayer in Subnautica series

Prerequisites

Hardware Requirements

ComponentMinimumRecommended
CPU4 cores @ 3.0 GHz6 cores @ 3.5 GHz
RAM8 GB16 GB
Storage30 GB SSD60 GB NVMe SSD
Network50 Mbps upload100 Mbps upload
OSWindows 10/11 64-bitWindows Server 2019/2022

Server Setup

SteamCMD Installation

SteamCMD is Valve's command-line tool for downloading game server files.

Windows Setup

  1. Download SteamCMD from Valve's website
  2. Extract to a folder (e.g., C:\steamcmd)
  3. Run steamcmd.exe

Download Subnautica 2 Server

Launch SteamCMD and run the following commands:

# Set installation directory
force_install_dir C:\Subnautica2Server

# Login anonymously
login anonymous

# Download Subnautica 2 server files (App ID TBD - check Steam page for actual ID)
app_update [APP_ID] validate

# Exit SteamCMD
quit

Note: Server App ID will be available with Early Access release. Check Subnautica 2's Steam page for the exact App ID.

Configure Server

Create configuration file in your server directory:

# ServerSettings.ini
[ServerSettings]
ServerName="My Subnautica 2 Server"
ServerPassword=""
AdminPassword="your_admin_password"
MaxPlayers=4

# Gameplay Settings
GameMode=Survival  # Survival mode
Difficulty=Normal
OxygenConsumption=1.0  # Normal oxygen rate
FoodConsumption=1.0  # Normal food rate
WaterConsumption=1.0  # Normal water rate
TemperatureDamage=true  # Environmental damage enabled

# World Settings
WorldSize=medium  # World size and complexity
BiomeDistribution=balanced  # Mix of biomes
DayNightCycleLength=3600  # 60 minute days
NightLengthSeconds=1800  # 30 minute nights

# Multiplayer Settings
EnableCrossplay=true  # PC/PS5/Xbox support
SharedResources=true  # Share resources between players

Launch Server

Windows Launch

Create batch file start_server.bat:

@echo off
cd C:\Subnautica2Server
start Subnautica2Server.exe -log -Port=7777

Port Forwarding

Open the following ports on your router and firewall:

PortProtocolPurpose
7777UDPGame Port
27015UDPQuery Port

Windows Firewall

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Subnautica 2 UDP 7777" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 7777 -Protocol UDP -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Subnautica 2 UDP 27015" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 27015 -Protocol UDP -Action Allow

Server Configuration

World Settings

td>Overall challenge levelPower Management
SettingDescriptionOptions
DifficultySurvival, Hardcore, Freedom
Food & WaterConsumption ratesStarving to Hungry, Oxygen, Thirst mechanics
TemperatureDamage from extreme environmentsDisabled, Low, Normal, High
WeldingWelder fuel cost and efficiencyDisabled, 1x, 2x, 4x
Battery drain and recharge rate Full, Balanced, Power Saving

Multiplayer Features

  • Crossplay Support: Players on different platforms can join same server
  • Shared Resources: Shared food, water, and materials between players
  • Base Building: Collaborate on base construction and expansion
  • Exploration: Coordinate exploration for efficient resource gathering
  • Vehicle Sharing: Share Seamoths and Cyclops between players
  • Player Progression Shared tech tree and story progression

Admin Commands

/time
CommandDescriptionUsage
/kick Remove player from server /kick [PlayerName]
/banBan player from server /ban [PlayerName] [Duration]
/mute Mute player chat /mute [PlayerName] [Duration]
/tp Teleport to coordinates /tp [X] [Y] [Z]
/giveitem Spawn item for player /giveitem [PlayerName] [ItemID] [Amount]
/setdifficulty Change game difficulty /setdifficulty [Survival/Hardcore/Freedom]
/weatherChange weather conditions /weather [Clear/Storm/Rain]
Set time of day /time [0-24]
/respawnForce player respawn at safe location /respawn [PlayerName]

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players can join?

Subnautica 2 supports up to 4 players officially. This is perfect for co-op survival gameplay.

Does Subnautica 2 have crossplay?

Yes! PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S players can join the same server together.

Can I play solo on a server?

Yes, solo play is supported. Multiplayer is optional but enhances the survival experience.

Is Subnautica 2 a full sequel or DLC?

It's a full sequel with significant story expansion. Not just DLC for original game.

Do I need to own the original Subnautica?

No, but you need to have a Steam account to access the game. Server doesn't require owning the base game.

What happens when server restarts?

World state is auto-saved. Players keep their position and progress. Server reloads seamlessly.

Is PvP available?

Subnautica 2 is designed as cooperative PvE. PvP can be enabled in server config, but the game isn't balanced for competitive combat.

Can I host with my friends on same server?

Yes, join your friend's server and play together. Invite up to 3 other players for full 4-player co-op.

Next Steps

Underwater Co-op: Subnautica 2 provides the ultimate underwater survival experience. Supercraft provides optimized servers for smooth co-op exploration with your friends.

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