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Unknown Worlds has opened an Experimental branch for Subnautica 2, letting players try updates before they reach the main Early Access build. On Steam it appears as a beta branch, and on Xbox and Windows it is distributed through the Xbox Insider Program, Rock Paper Shotgun and Xbox Wire report.
The point of the branch is feedback. Builds go up early so the team can catch problems before features ship to everyone, and Xbox Wire says every report and piece of feedback feeds into future updates.
Opt-in, and expect breakage
The Experimental branch is an entirely opt-in experience. It allows players to preview upcoming content for Subnautica 2 in an earlier state, and helps us catch any issues before we ship features to the main Early Access build.
The developers are blunt about the cost: the builds are more likely to contain bugs, potentially game-breaking ones, and they caution players not to get attached to any saves made while playing on the branch. Xbox Wire's version of the warning lists unfinished features, balance changes and other rough edges.
Saves do not travel
Saves are version-specific and cannot be imported or exported between Experimental and the main branch. They are not deleted, though: the two versions store saves in separate locations, so an Experimental session will not show main-branch saves in the load list, and switching back makes them reappear.
Two more conditions apply on Xbox. Players need to own Subnautica 2 or have access through an active Game Pass subscription, and Experimental players can only play multiplayer with other Experimental players.
Not a daily build
Unlike the experimental branches for the original Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, this one will not update every day. Builds go up shortly before a release reaches the wider public, and the team may also use the branch to preview smaller patches and fixes between major updates.
Joining on Xbox runs through the Xbox Insider Hub on a Series X|S console or Windows PC, under Previews, where selecting Subnautica 2 Experimental and completing registration routes players to the Store to install it. On Steam it is selected from the Game Versions & Betas section of the game's properties, followed by a download.
