Subnautica 2 has won Best Early Access Game at the Golden Joystick Awards 2026, according to developer Unknown Worlds. The award was announced during the ceremony on November 11, 2026.
The Golden Joystick Awards bills itself as the longest-running publicly voted gaming awards ceremony, now in its 44th year. Winners in its public-voted categories are chosen through online voting by players around the world. The original Subnautica was named PC Game of the Year at the 2018 ceremony.
Five million copies sold within 22 days of Early Access launch
According to the studio, Subnautica 2 sold two million copies in its first 12 hours after entering Early Access in May. It passed five million copies within 22 days.
The game is an open-world survival crafting title set on a mysterious alien ocean planet. It adds optional co-op for up to four players, letting friends explore ecosystems, gather resources and build underwater bases together.
Unknown Worlds says it is developing the game with its community through an Open Development approach. Updates so far have included improvements to exploration and survival, along with proximity voice chat and a revive system for co-op.
Creative director Anthony Gallegos said in a statement: “The community has always been the heart of what we do. Everything we create is for them and made better by their input. We take our obligation to our players seriously, and this award is validation that our process of building the game together in Early Access is as relevant as it ever was.”
The studio also says the next major content update, coming later this year, will be the largest since Early Access launched. It will add new areas, creatures, biomes and vehicles.
Subnautica 2 is available now on Steam, Xbox (Series X|S and PC) and the Epic Games Store.
