Subnautica Archives

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Bryce Clark, game director of Poppy Playtime, has played 23,000 hours of Steam games: ‘I’m a bit obsessed with learning the market’

Bryce Clark is the game director of Poppy Playtime and has a history in gaming that began with DOS games. His childhood favorite was the 1994 RTS Dominus, which had technical difficulties that required troubleshooting. He has worked for studios like 343 Industries and Blizzard and became the lead technical artist at Mob Entertainment in 2023 before directing Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5, released in February. Clark enjoys games like Aethus, Strange Antiquities, and Prosperous Universe, and recently played Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library and Forza Horizon 6. The oldest games on his PC are No Man's Sky and The Hunter: Call of The Wild. He has logged over 23,000 hours on Steam, with Rocket League and Ark: Survival Evolved among his top titles. Clark finds comfort in The Hunter: Call of the Wild and Subnautica. He uses Snagit for screenshots and video recording and WinDirStat for disk space management. He has shifted to a minimalist desktop organization style, using the taskbar and search bar instead of desktop shortcuts.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 Dethroned as #1 Selling Steam Game

Forza Horizon 6 has lost its position as the top-selling game on Steam to Meccha Chameleon, a hide-and-seek game released on June 9, which has sold five million copies in ten days. Meccha Chameleon is priced affordably and has an 85% approval rating from over 6,000 user reviews. The top five best-selling games between June 9 and June 16 are Meccha Chameleon, Forza Horizon 6, Path of Exile 2, EA Sports FC 26, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. The rankings for positions six through ten include 007 First Light, Gothic Remake, Burglin’ Gnomes, Rust, and Voidling Bound. Titles in spots ten through twenty are Dead by Daylight, Resident Evil 4, Road to Empress II, Subnautica 2, Hearts of Iron IV, Paralives, Monster Hunter Wilds, Witchspire, Gamble With Your Friends, and Resident Evil Requiem.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Subnautica 2 promises to add ‘one of the most requested’ features, but sorry, it’s not a knife you can stab fish with

Subnautica 2 was launched last month and has received positive feedback from players and critics. The game is currently in its early access phase, with design lead Anthony Gallegos indicating that numerous updates and enhancements are planned. A beloved feature from the original Subnautica will return, while the ability to confront aggressive sea creatures is currently not included. Players can explore mods for alternative combat options with ocean inhabitants. The game is expected to evolve with new content and features.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Which gaming clip just won $500? Check out the best videos of May, featuring nukes in Minecraft, eternal drifts in Forza Horizon 6, and a dragon-riding giant in Skyrim

In May, the gaming community submitted a variety of video clips showcasing gameplay from titles like Counter-Strike 2, Marathon, and Battlefield 6, as well as comedic moments from sandbox games such as Crimson Desert, Minecraft, and Subnautica 2. PC Gamer curates these submissions, selecting one clip each month as the 'Best Clip of the Month,' which receives a 0 Amazon gift card.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Subnautica 2’s no-killing policy isn’t because it’s ‘a game about pacifism’, says design lead, but because players would ‘master the crappy combat’ over anything else

Subnautica 2 has sparked controversy due to comments suggesting it lacks traditional combat elements. Design lead Anthony Gallegos explained that the decision to minimize combat is not based on a non-violent ethos but stems from the studio's modding culture origins. He referenced the developers of SOMA, highlighting that combat options could detract from the intended atmosphere of dread and exploration. By removing combat, Subnautica 2 aims to maintain tension and immersion in the underwater world. Gallegos also mentioned the possibility of new mitigation systems in future updates, as the episodic release schedule allows for the introduction of additional gameplay mechanics.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

I absolutely agree with 33% of you when it comes to your choice of freaky Subnautica 2 critters

The author has not yet played Subnautica 2 due to a fear of deep water. Colleagues at PC Gamer have reviewed the game positively, with Sean Martin appreciating its episodic structure, Tyler Wilde giving it a favorable review, and Fraser Brown suggesting it could be quieter. A poll conducted revealed that the Periscopic Clowncrab was the most popular creature with 33% of the votes, followed by the Coral Crab at 22%, the Great Jaw at 14%, and BFJ at 12%. The Foureye received 10% of the votes, and the Waxmoon was noted for its striking design. Elie Gould called for recognition of the Water Slug.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Subnautica 2’s botched bonus deal is about to wipe out more than one-third of Krafton’s $736 million annual profit for 2025

Krafton promised a substantial bonus to Unknown Worlds' principals—Ted Gill, Max McGuire, and Charlie Cleveland—following their acquisition in 2021, with a payout structure of .12 for every dollar earned once monthly revenues exceeded .8 million, capped at 0 million. Subnautica 2 sold four million copies in its first week and received a "very positive" rating on Steam. In 2025, Krafton dismissed the executives, alleging they rushed the game's release, but court proceedings revealed Krafton had approved their strategy. Krafton reported an operating profit of 1.1 trillion Korean won (approximately 6 million) for 2025, raising concerns that the bonus could consume over a third of its annual profits.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

I’m glad they didn’t release Subnautica 2 all at once—the episodic early access structure has me even more excited to explore its alien ocean

Subnautica 2, currently in early access, sold 2 million copies within twelve hours of its launch. The game features a narrative involving an AI companion named NOA and the remnants of previous colonists, with players encountering the Masefield Syndrome linked to a colossal alien tree. The game includes a survival-crafting element where players must construct a Tadpole mini-sub to explore the ocean. It integrates tools and gadgets into the narrative, enhancing gameplay and driving players to uncover mysteries. The game has received some criticism for its stringent end-user license agreement but has made a significant impact in the gaming community.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Steam is flooded with liminal spaces games and I approve, but I think I’ve found the best to start with

Dreamcore explores "liminal spaces," featuring environments like indoor pools, low-poly suburbia, and children's play areas, with a notable "liminal hotel" inspired by the Backrooms meme. Liminal spaces evoke feelings of transition and emptiness and have gained popularity on platforms like Steam. Since its release in January 2025, Dreamcore has introduced a new map called Dead Mall, reminiscent of 1990s super malls. Other titles in the genre include Pools, Tainted Pools, and Liminal Waters, while games like Dream Logic offer a PS1-era twist. Dreamcore is noted for its diverse themes and well-optimized performance, allowing players to explore unsettling landscapes. Steam's sales chart from May 12 - 19 lists the top games by revenue, with Subnautica 2 leading, followed by Forza Horizon 6, Counter-Strike 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Night is expected to rise in the charts, and 007 First Light is gaining traction due to pre-orders. Librarian: Tidy Up The Arcane Library ranks eighth despite its April release. A humorous user review for Bubsy 4D received attention for its candidness.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Subnautica 2 could become a chilling horror game, if only it would shut up

Subnautica 2 features players as the sole survivor of a failed expedition on an alien planet, awakening disoriented after a disaster. The game incorporates an AI assistant named NoA, which provides constant reminders about survival needs, often causing frustration. The narrative heavily relies on audio logs that interrupt exploration and detract from the immersive atmosphere, as they auto-play at inconvenient times and often spoon-feed information rather than allowing for organic discovery. This reliance on audio logs diminishes the thrill of exploration and the sense of agency for players. Despite its potential, the game's narrative structure undermines the overall experience.