On Steam, the new survival game Subnautica 2 has launched with extreme success, but pirates still annoy the boss.
How did the launch go? Subnautica 2 was subject to much debate during its development. The developers and the publisher argued and ultimately separated. However, even without Krafton, the mega-launch on Steam was successful. Right at release, over 450,000 players went underwater according to SteamDB on a Thursday.
The peak number of players is likely to be exceeded over the weekend. Within an hour, the developers reported selling a million copies of their title (via Bluesky). But despite the success, a debate weighs on the developers.
Here you can see the new planet Alterra:
Piracy on the high seas
What bothers the developers? Just before launch, a developer version circulated through piracy websites that allowed playing before the game’s release. It was not the final version with which Subnautica 2 entered Early Access, which is why the developers were doubly annoyed.
Although the developers already made a statement clarifying that one should not get a wrong first impression from the version, another point seems to bother them. A developer explains on Discord what the matter is:
Just to clarify: Pirates will do their thing. We were all kids once. Money and the economy are a tough topic. I understand that. It was not the piracy that bothered me. It was the people who just walked in here and flaunted it in front of those who were waiting to play legally. That was the part that annoyed me. That and the Reddit comments that keep pretending I’m a millionaire. I am definitely not. I don’t own a house. I rent. […]
In short: I understand that and thank you for ultimately supporting the studio. I cannot condone piracy, but I understand why some people do it. I would much rather have people buy the game, try it for an hour, and then return it than play it illegally.
Anthony on Discord (source: Reddit)
How does the community react to the statement? Players agree with the developer. While honest gamers waited for the release, the dishonest claimed to have already played Subnautica 2. A situation that must feel like a slap in the face for the developers.
Players write on Reddit:
- Ixxtabb: “Pirates will pirate, but at least have enough respect for the developers not to flaunt it. Pretty simple.”
- Numerous-Recover-227: “Other people save money through file sharing so they can play the game even earlier in an even unfinished state. I save money by waiting a year or more to buy it on sale so I can play it in the best-polished state.”
- juliuspepperwoodchi: “The way people think they know others’ finances is really crazy to me.”
That pirates are harming Subnautica 2 not only through piracy but also through bad publicity surrounding gameplay from unfinished versions, and that they are doing this right in front of the developers, is really cheeky. MyMMO editor Lydia has tried the new survival game for you: I played Subnautica 2 like a horror game and like a cozy game and had to learn that it is neither
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