Subnautica 2 Server Hosting Guide 2026
Subnautica 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the acclaimed underwater survival game, and the first to ship with official multiplayer for up to 4 players. Explore alien oceans together with your friends.
🌊 Quick Overview
- Status: Out now in Early Access (launched May 14, 2026)
- Players: Up to 4 players, drop-in host-based co-op
- Platform: PC (Steam, Epic, Windows Store) and Xbox Series X|S, plus Game Pass; crossplay PC ↔ Xbox. No PlayStation version.
- Genre: Underwater Survival
- Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Feature: First official multiplayer in the Subnautica series
How Subnautica 2 multiplayer actually works
Subnautica 2 co-op is host-based (peer-hosted), not server-based. There is no official dedicated-server tool: no server download, no SteamCMD server install, no server IP or port browser, and no "Crossplay Enabled" config switch. One player hosts; the others join their session and play in the host's world.
- The world lives in the host's save. Everyone's progress is written into that single save file.
- Recipes and data entries are shared across the whole crew within a world. Oxygen is tracked per player.
- The world is only online while the host is in the session. When the host quits, the world goes offline for everyone.
The managed-hosting workaround: Because there is no dedicated-server binary, a managed host keeps the world running as an always-online session so your crew doesn't depend on one person being online. That is the honest value Supercraft provides here, no fabricated server AppID or port-forwarding required.
Hosting requirements (for an always-online session)
These are practical guidelines for keeping a 4-player Subnautica 2 world hosted around the clock. Actual figures may shift during Early Access.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4 cores @ 3.0 GHz | 6 cores @ 3.5 GHz |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB SSD | 60 GB NVMe SSD |
| Network | 10 Mbps upload | 50 Mbps upload |
Save portability and host hand-off
Subnautica 2 has a built-in way to move a world between machines, which is how the host role rotates:
- The current host uses Upload to Cloud to push the world; the game returns a short key.
- A friend uses Import Save with that key to load the same world on their machine and host from there.
- Progress works at the save level across platforms (for example Steam and Xbox).
A guest cannot keep the host's world running while the host is offline, that's exactly the gap an always-online managed session fills. See the save sync and hand-off guide for the full workflow.
In-game co-op features
- Crossplay: PC and Xbox players (including Game Pass) play in the same world; on by default. There is no PlayStation version to join.
- Shared knowledge: Recipes and data entries are shared across the crew.
- Base Building: Collaborate on base construction and expansion.
- Exploration: Coordinate exploration for efficient resource gathering.
- Shared storage: Storage and base inventories are accessible to the whole team.
- Oxygen is individual: Each diver manages their own air supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can join?
Subnautica 2 supports up to 4 players in drop-in co-op. This is built for cooperative survival.
Does Subnautica 2 have crossplay?
Yes, PC and Xbox players (including Game Pass on PC and Xbox) play together, on by default. There is no PlayStation version.
Is there a dedicated server I can rent or run?
There is no official dedicated-server tool. Co-op is host-based. Managed hosts work around this by keeping your world online as an always-online session.
Can I play solo?
Yes, solo play is supported. Co-op is optional but enhances the survival experience.
Do I need to own the original Subnautica?
No, Subnautica 2 is a standalone game and does not require owning the original.
What happens to the world when the host leaves?
In normal host-based play, the world goes offline when the host quits because it lives in their save. An always-online managed session keeps the world reachable so the crew can keep playing.
Can I host with my friends?
Yes. One player hosts and invites up to 3 others for full 4-player co-op, or hand off the host role using Upload to Cloud and Import Save.
Next Steps
- View detailed hardware requirements
- Configure server settings
- Set up multiplayer games
- Fix common server issues
Underwater Co-op: Subnautica 2 provides the ultimate underwater survival experience. Supercraft provides optimized servers for smooth co-op exploration with your friends.