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'Subnautica' arrives on Nintendo Switch in early 2021
The sequel, 'Subnautica: Below Zero,' is on the way to the console too.
Natural Selection 2 dev's 'Subnautica' dives into Steam Early Access
Natural Selection 2 developer Unknown Worlds launched its latest game on Steam Early Access this week, Subnautica. In it, players submerse themselves in an "alien underwater world" with brightly-colored creatures and environments, such as coral reefs and volcanoes. Fighting to survive, the swimmers also hunt for resources to build new gear and submarines, allowing them to further explore the aquatic areas. Subnautica is currently 10 percent off ($18) until December 23 and supports virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift. Unknown Worlds handed development duties for Natural Selection 2 to a group of dedicated fans in June, after announcing Subnautica one year ago. Head past the break to see a trailer for Subnautica, showing some of the pretty (and some of the ferocious) creatures in the Early Access game. [Image: Unknown Worlds]
Natural Selection 2 team announces new game 'Subnautica'
Unknown Worlds, developers of Natural Selection 2, will take a break from sci-fi action and delve deep into fantastical underwater exploration with Subnautica. Taking the underwater slipstreams less traveled, the developer is announcing the game in its early stages of prototyping. "The first in-game art assets are being created, soundscapes are being recorded, and animations are starting to slither, turn and swim. We have created a rich library of concept art, and set about designing and iterating on core elements of gameplay," wrote Unknown Worlds' Hugh Jeremy in the game's reveal post. "Subnautica is not in 'alpha,' it is an idea that is just starting to be mold into its first playable incarnations." With that said, there's no launch window. The game's development will flow along now with community feedback about what they'd like to explore under the sea.
Natural Selection 2 introducing female marines
The female TSF Marine will join the battle of Natural Selection 2 in the game's next update, scheduled for August. The character was one of the first announcements made for post-launch content and developer Unknown Worlds revealed the final render of the game's 3D model on its site. "The game industry has a history of depicting female characters inappropriately," wrote Unknown Worlds' Hugh Jeremy as part of the announcement. "Often, they are stylized to such a degree that they become sexual objects: While their male comrades are clothed, armed and armored to fight, the female character is notable for the lack of any clothing at all. When female characters are granted equal protection, that protection often ignores basic laws of physics in favor of offering titillating form." And if you feel good after reading that, don't read the comments found on Unknown World's announcement. Just don't. Don't.
Natural Selection 2 free on Steam this weekend
In celebration of PAX East, Natural Selection 2 is free to play on Steam until Sunday. If you like it well enough, you can purchase it at 50 percent off as well. Developer Unknown Worlds expects over 15,000 people to play concurrently.If you're at PAX East, the Unknown Worlds team can be found on the show floor, presenting a gorgeous update to Natural Selection 2. (That's not an opinion, that's the name of the update.)
Natural Selection 2 credit card scam sees developer out $30,000
Valve has deactivated 1,341 Steam keys for Natural Selection 2, a result of a scam that saw developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment out a total of $30,000. These 1,341 keys were purchased through the developer using stolen credit cards. The real credit card owners made chargeback claims on the fraudulent charges, and as a result the developer never received its money and was instead hit with the $30,000 fee to recoup the stolen funds.It seems someone "purchased" keys through Unknown Worlds, sold them to third parties at a discount and then vanished once original credit card holders disputed the charges to Unknown Worlds. As a result, Unknown Worlds has temporarily closed its store, making Steam the only eligible place to purchase Natural Selection 2 at the moment.As of today, anyone who purchased those illegitimate keys will find their game deactivated. Unknown Worlds suggests contacting the site you purchased the key from for a full refund – good luck with that.
Natural Selection 2 notches up $1 million in first week
Natural Selection 2's first seven days, since crawling out of the development ooze and onto Steam, have been good for the game. It sold 144,000 copies and earned developer Unknown Worlds over $1 million."It has been a success beyond our wildest dreams," the team at Unknown Worlds wrote, sending out a sales infographic, which can be found after the break. "We spent the days leading up to launch dreaming of cracking the top-ten top-sellers on Steam. We ended up staying at number one for 36 hours."The company will hold its first post-launch competitive event tomorrow, November 10, which you can watch on Twitch.
Natural Selection 2 launch bumped up, available later today
Natural Selection 2, which was originally slated for a Halloween launch, will now be available later today. The new calculation on the game's Steam page has the team-based shooter's release set for around 8PM Eastern (5PM Pacific, Midnight UK).As Shacknews points out, the original idea was for the game to launch at midnight Pacific, 10 years to the day of the original Natural Selection mod for Half-Life. Now that it'll launch a little early, it'll be a multiplayer multi-time zone fiesta.
Natural Selection 2 treats us to alien slaughter on October 31
Natural Selection 2 is really pushing that October release window it set up in September; it's now due out on October 31. The original Natural Selection mod came out on October 31, 2002, precisely 10 years prior to its sequel's launch date."As the old saying goes, 'you've bitten off more than you can chew,'" Unknown Worlds writes in its release date announcement. "To which we reply: 'swallow it whole.'" While we're not quite sure of the context for that one, it is understandably spooky.
Natural Selection 2 demonstrates Darwin's theory in new video
With the advent of antibiotics, platinum credit cards and thermal underwear, the purist's notion of natural selection remains a long-forgotten, useless ideal -- at least until the aliens attack. Sequel to a 2002 Half-Life mod, Natural Selection 2 will act as a survival-of-the-fittest simulation for both sides: Players will inhabit the bodies of aliens and Marines to see which traits will be passed on to the following generations. We're guessing large teeth and precise trigger fingers will make the cut, but not necessarily on the same species.Natural Selection 2 is set to launch this summer, but those who pre-order will get early access via the beta on Steam.
Natural Selection 2's closed beta starts tomorrow, new trailer today
As a fan of Natural Selection, one of the most popular Half-Life mods, you've had a tough go of it, having to wait eight full years for a follow-up to your beloved blend of FPS and RTS. You've heard about the four playable alien classes, each with their own unique abilities, that will battle it out with the weapon-savvy Marines. You've heard about how the dynamic environments will evolve over each map. But you've been living off a trickle of information, and you now find yourself positively parched. Well, allow your friends at Joystiq to provide a gigantic canteen full of Natural Selection 2-centric refreshment. Not only do we get to reveal that the closed beta of the game will finally launch tomorrow, we also get to pass on the good news that gaining entry is as simple as being among the first 10,000 to pre-order the game. (Those who have already pre-ordered are in.) ...What's that? Your thirst is still not slaked? Well, how about a new exclusive trailer, featuring the teleporting Fade class, that we've placed after the jump? Drink, friends! Drink! %Gallery-107748%
