Game Devs Stick to Manual Work for New Subnautica Title

Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the underwater adventure game, confirmed that they did not use any generative artificial intelligence tools in developing Subnautica 2. The sequel, which will hit early access on May 14, was built entirely by hand. The studio’s creative producer explained that the team relies on traditional programming methods. “All of the work is done by people, ” he said, highlighting that even the creature behavior was coded manually. This approach keeps the project grounded in established practices rather than emerging AI solutions that can produce art or code from prompts. Despite the fact that the publisher Krafton has positioned itself as an “AI first” company, Unknown Worlds chose not to incorporate the newer AI techniques. The studio has the freedom to accept or reject such tools, and they opted for a pipeline that fits their vision. Krafton has offered staff the option to leave if they do not agree with the company’s AI direction, a move that shows how intense the debate around AI in gaming has become.

Subnautica 2’s development has also been complicated by a legal dispute between the studio’s founders and Krafton leadership. Still, the game’s release is progressing, with a co‑operative mode added to its survival mechanics. Fans of the original can look forward to exploring new underwater worlds that feel both familiar and freshly crafted by human hands. The decision reflects a broader conversation about the role of AI in creative industries: while new tools can accelerate production, they also raise questions about authorship and quality control. Unknown Worlds’ stance suggests that some developers still prefer the certainty of traditional workflows, especially when crafting complex game worlds.

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