Subnautica 2 is off to a roaring start, and developer Unknown Worlds recently celebrated the fact that 4m players have now dipped their toes into the waters of the ocean planet Proteus. That’s a lot of early access feedback to comb through, but the studio says it’s been doing just that and has now shared more details on the changes and major additions it’s planning to implement next.

Following on from the preliminary road map Unknown Worlds shared back in May, the studio has published the first in a presumably ongoing series of developer video blogs, this initial one fronted by Subnautica 2 design lead Anthony Gallegos. According to Gallegos, the team is “already hard at work” on a number of “really exciting smaller updates”, including improvements to the Biomod system: specifically, new early-game Biomod options and the ability to unlock more passive slots.

On top of that, wrecks are getting unspecified improvements, and changes to Blight encounters should make parasite aggression levels more obvious to players. Additionally, a priority system for voiceover is in the works, with the goal of ensuring players always hear the most important information at any time. Oh, and it’ll soon be possible to replay voice logs from the PDA.

As for those players who’ve been exploring the depths with friends in tow (and if that’s you, I really don’t blame you, even if I’m not convinced co-op’s the best way to play Subnautica 2), new social features are on the way. Firstly, proximity voice chat is incoming, and that’s in addition to new character customisation options and emotes, the latter meaning you’ll be able to give your pals an encouraging thumbs up while something unspeakable bears down on them.

Unknown Worlds also reiterated that it’s working on Subnautica 2’s first major early access content drop, which will include a new region. This area, the home of the Collector Leviathan, promises new creatures, new resources, and new story progression. It’ll also include a new chassis, bringing back “one of the most requested player experiences”. And if you want more of a (really not very subtle) clue, Gallegos teased, “Get ready to get stompy”.

Furthermore, there’s some extra good news if you’ve already invested a bunch of hours into Subnautica 2: Gallegos says the studio’s goal is to add all this stuff to players’ existing saves, so they won’t need to start afresh each time new content arrives. Less encouraging for the brave thalassophobes in the house? “I really think it’s going to be the scariest the game has been yet,” says Gallegos of the first major update, “and I can’t wait for you to try it.”

There’s no timeframe for any of this yet, but Subnautica 2’s previously released roadmap does, at least, paint a picture of the order Unknown Worlds intends these initial updates to arrive. And, if nothing else, it gives the game’s 4m players something to look forward to – which is more enthusiasm than publisher Krafton’s CEO is probably feeling at the moment, given Subnautica 2’s smash success means the company is now facing the $250m earnout it had reportedly tried to wiggle out of by seeking legal advice from ChatGPT.