"I hope you rethink your life choices": Subnautica 2 dev responds to pirate asking for tech support on leaked build

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter

After Subnautica 2 leaked early, one developer has responded to those who decided to pirate the game.

Earlier this week, Unknown Worlds confirmed that the builds that had leaked online were legitimate, but noted that they were "incomplete development versions," so anyone who got a hold of them would not be experiencing the game as it was intended. But, of course, piracy is bound to happen no matter the game, whether it leaked out early or not. While some developers have previously been happy to help out – such as Hotline Miami dev Jonatan Söderström – in most cases people pirating the game don't go to ask devs for help.

However, as spotted by RespawnFirst, on the Subnautica 2 Discord, the developers behind the survival game were asked a few tech support questions – as you would expect from a public-facing Discord server for a game – the only catch was that this was on May 13, 2026… a day before Subnautica 2's official early-access release date on May 14.

Latest Videos From

After figuring out "he wasn't some child trying to figure out a genuine Subnautica issue" a developer who goes by Anthony (possibly game design lead Anthony Gallegos), responded to the pirate. "It took some doing, but this guy self-reported. Thanks for pirating a game that I've spent years working on." He adds, "I'm disappointed that you'd do that when it's kind of how we make our living. I hope you rethink your life choices."

Of course, in this instance – where Subnautica 2 had a peak of over 460,000 concurrent players on Steam and had sold over one million copies by the end of its first hour – I don't think the developers have to worry too much. Alas, piracy is always going to happen, especially when the cost of games and the cost of living is going up drastically in recent times, but you'd think people would have the sense to not advertise it to the devs the day before their game releases.

Now Playing: Subnautica 2 lays strong foundations for an improved sequel, but the depths of early access remain murky.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

CATEGORIES

Scott McCraeContributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

View More

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout LATEST ARTICLES

1. 1Where to find Lead in Subnautica 2
2. 2Where to find Necrolei Cysts in Subnautica 2
3. 3Rebreather location in Subnautica 2
4. 4The Mandalorian and Grogu gets divisive first reactions as it's called both a "ton of fun" and "totally inessential"
5. 5Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred was in the works before the base RPG launched, and that's why some features "deployed early"