{
  "id": 1943011,
  "title": "Subnautica 2 Patch Adds Buddy System, Dev Reveals Glimpse at Early Access 2 Update",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/subnautica-2-patch-adds-buddy-system-dev-reveals-glimpse-at-early",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-19T12:46:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IGN",
    "slug": "ign",
    "url": "https://www.ign.com/articles/subnautica-2-patch-adds-buddy-system-dev-reveals-glimpse-at-early-access-2-update"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 19, the popular underwater survival and crafting game Subnautica 2 received its Buddy system update, adding several new multiplayer features. Creative director Anthony Gallegos showcased these enhancements in a video, including Proximity Chat, Player Trading and Revives, and an all-new Tracking Tag. Proximity Chat allows players to use in-game voice chat with their friends, with the voice progressively breaking up as they get farther apart. Players can now emote via a small menu, cheering on friends, clapping, or expressing frustration. Inventory sharing enables players to access and swap items with each other, and two new player characters, Grace and Jegna, as well as two new suit colors, have been introduced. The Tracking Tag, a short-range beacon, helps players find their way back to left-behind items. Improved HUD icons and pinned recipes are also included, making the UI less confusing. Gallegos emphasized that these features represent only a portion of the larger 1.2 update, hinting at more updates to come. The developer, Unknown Worlds, is also working on the Early Access 2 update, which will introduce a new region, story, progression, vehicles, and more. Gallegos concluded that the company aims to prioritize fans' feedback in their development process, making games that best address community needs.",
  "summary": "Subnautica 2 gets its Buddy system update today, August 19. It adds a number of new features revolving around multiplayer in the underwater survival and crafting game. Here's what to expect from the 1.2 update.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}