Making Subnautica: From Bankruptcy to Brilliance

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Subnautica is one of the most unique games released in the past few years, but how did the idea for the game come about, and how did the developers of the game navigate the challenges of early access development? Today I answer that question in: Making Subnautica: From Bankruptcy to Brilliance!
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▼ Time Stamps ▼
0:00 - Intro and Background
0:57- The Idea and Early Development
4:03 - Change in Art Direction and First Reveal
5:20 - Minimal Viable Product and Change in Direction
5:37 - Financial Issues, First Release and Feedback
6:34 - The Aurora
6:54 - More Financial Problems and Steam Early Access
8:05 - Monthly Updates and Communication
9:12 - Financial Salvation & Influencers
10:15 - Road Map and Additional Features
10:56 - Adding A Main Story and Side Quests
11:49 - Completion, Cuts, Final Release and Reception
12:39 - Summary and Closing Thoughts
Thanks for watching Making Subnautica: From Bankruptcy to Brilliance

[@lunatwilight7439]

feels like subnautica is an example of what can happen when a developer listens to their player base

[@kinggooktheautistickingewg788]

To play the devils advocate, sometimes listening to players can have the opposite effect. The whole "muh balance" thing is kinda cliche, but in this case, it does fit. People also whine about corporations, and while they are particularly bad now a days (especially with the woke push), sometimes those limits on developers are what made for a good game because the developers had to get creative for real. (this is also why older games usually are far better programmed and more fun than todays games, precisely because they faced the challenge head on). Take Playtonic with Yooka-Laylee for a example where not having a proper boss makes things go wrong. It has all the elements of a banjo-kazooie game (arguably too tame in the writing for my taste, but eh), but it was executed so terribly and mishandles so bad precisely because the devs themselves had no fucking idea on how to handle a project properly and put realistic expectations, nor proper playtesting. They managed to reproduce the horrible camera from Banjo Kazooie and not learning several 3D platformer lessons 20 years later. That's a massive feat in stupidity and a sign of a mismanaged project. Also axing JonTron was just a shit move that nobody but a tiny minority of perpetually insecure communists liked. Never cave in to SJW retards because they will never be happy and only ruin things.

[@bezimienny1337]

their

[@bubbalexi]

they are player base?

[@lunatwilight7439]

There I fixed it

[@chrisjackson1215]

If the first game is what happens when devs listen to the player base, then BZ is an example of what happens when they don't.

[@wesleycolvin7158]

I love the fact that, even after moving on to Sub Zero, they never left behind the game that started it all, eventually updating it with things from the following game and even put in the effort to fix more bugs and polish a few mechanics a bit more.

[@thunderkrux7745]

I love the fact that sub zero plays pretty much the same but with some different, but not necessarily better or worse vehicles, recipes, and mechanics. I can play pretty much the same game but with completely different challenges. I love it.

[@lilliesupreme9767]

Sea truck is worse tho

[@manboy4720]

@@lilliesupreme9767 i think it was the closest below zero could get to a cyclops. a cyclops definitely couldn't fit into a map as tight and cramped as below zero's.

[@ok0_0]

@@thunderkrux7745 tbf subzero kinda sucks the world is great but the characters are annoying and the tension is just gone

[@gametugboat3985]

​@@ok0_0below zero was meant to be less horror and more drama. thats why it didnt work

[@RubenKuch]

I watched this whole video expecting it to have hundreds of thousands of views but only hundreds, you are very underrated. This is quality content

[@Mega_Roman_gaming]

Agreed

[@dimalungma4415]

Congratulations, your comment summoned the youtube algorythms. Wont be surprised if it hits 100k in a week or two

[@tntanimations1991]

❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊❤😂🎉😢😮😅😊

[@tntanimations1991]

Agreed

[@gamegaloo]

Sorry if I sound offensive, I don't mean to. But this almost feels like some fake channel stealing these amazing videos and got lucky with the algorithm haha. There's no way a single channel put out this many quality contents in a short time and get this few views.

[@johnr.timmers2297]

The feedback system was legendary and made the early versions of the game much more playable

[@iAletho]

I agree John, the feedback system was the key for building the rest of the game!

[@Swift-Strike]

Seeing people still talk about subnautica even after all these years makes me extremely happy. It was amongst the first games I played and absolutely loved alongside Minecraft and a few others. It’s just one of those games you wish you could experience for the first time again and again. With quality content, and an absolutely amazing community, I believe you’ll go really far as a creator. Keep it up and I can’t wait to see where you go and what’s next! (Hatch opens) *Welcome aboard captain, all systems online.*

[@kieferholster4900]

I'm so glad subnautica came into being, it's such a beautiful game. I watched jacksepticeye play the game and instantly fell in love with it. When subnautica below zero came out, I got it in the first hour and it was also great. I'm so glad people talk about subnautica 5 years later, man I feel old. Great video man, also if you don't mind could I tell me what mic you use.

[@iAletho]

Hi Kiefer, I agree, Subnautica really was a very unique experience and still is to this day! I honestly loved the game on its first release, and its actually one of the only early access games I actually went back to finish after it was complete which is rare in itself! I use a blue yeti microphone :) Thanks for watching!

[@flamethegame1]

I think its a really fun story that small indie dev team went on to create one of the best games of all time (atleast i consider it one of the best) Really just shows what game development done right looks like

[@soren278]

I know a couple other people have already said it, but this is some really well made content and I was so surprised to see how small your channel was. With such high quality videos you definitely deserve more success, and I'm sure you'll see it soon. Great work man, I'm excited for more!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Soren! I've gone from 500 subs to 2K in just under a month so safe to say I've seen some pretty crazy growth recently! I have a new video coming out either tomorrow or the day after so watch this space! Thanks for watching!

[@GrandEWN]

This is really one of those lightning in a bottle games, one of my favorites of all time and nothing comes close to the feeling i got while playing. Also wow, i didn't expect this level of quality from such a small channel, i thought you must've had well over a million subs.

[@technokicksyourass]

I've spent a lot of time in this game, and now I understand why it's so good. The player was put at the center of the development process. Great video man!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Duane! Open development really helped the game in this case :)

[@Acceleraise]

Incredible stuff yet again brother! Lots of research done for this respect the hard work. 👌

[@henrikaabo4499]

This is such a well done video. I have a feeling your channel will go places

[@willy.b.b3427]

Another great video bro. Top quality stuff, was looking forward to it 👍.

[@deltapig3441]

Such a high quality video I was so surprised it didn’t have 100k views, great content!!!!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Delta Pig! I'm glad you liked it :) I think this video took me about 30 hours to edit , I always try to make a video that I myself would want to watch! So I always try my best to make it high quality! thanks again for watching

[@giorgospapoutsakis5271]

Welp it does now :>

[@xouille5289]

This video is so underrated. Excellent narration amazing research work the video pace is perfect its deserve so much more congrats and keep up the great work

[@iAletho]

Thanks Xouille! This one definitely took a lot of prep and research but I'm happy with how it turned out in the end! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@sharpy-dan-howdy4828]

Stunning and respectful video. Highly informative and brilliantly edited. Nice one.

[@ljoftheb9748]

how you got all the info on all the early development and previous ideas is beyond me, very impressive!

[@rupitbhandari-studio.death8100]

Thanks a lot for the video. I love Subnautica and was quite interested how the various features and core concepts of the game were jotted out, so I really appreciate the coverage. Great job!

[@iAletho]

Glad you enjoyed it Rupit! And thank you for watching it! :)

[@Sony-ob8yk]

This video is awesome. I never new more about Subnautica than now. I hope you will continue with making such great videos.

[@iAletho]

Thanks Sony, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@m_a_d-dogdan8136]

Amazing to get a deep insight into the developent of a game. Amazing vid!!!

[@iAletho]

Cheers man! And thanks for watching as always :)

[@soapfaces]

Firstly, great video considering the size of the channel. Secondly, I’m so glad unknown worlds pulled through the financial issues and listened to player feedback to create what we have today. One of my favourite games of all time and can’t imagine not having it

[@iAletho]

Thank Soapfaces! It really was touch and go at some points, but I'm glad they pulled through in the end!

[@Spiney09]

This game was an early access done right. Even at final release, it still provided a new experience for those who played at the beginning. And the whole thing was excellent! And the devs worked on it a ton. While the second game was disappointing to me, the original will remain as one if my all-time favorite games!

[@sypeiterra7613]

Straight up damn good quality content Having been an early playtester, this game was an occasional mess that 180ed a few times but in the end we got there My favorite thing I did was stress testing the engine by spawning literally a quarter million peepers and hitting them with a sub

[@sypeiterra7613]

The thudding sound had me cackling like a moron

[@warduxe]

Another great video!! with your quality of editing im sure you will become big soon.

[@iAletho]

Thanks Warduxe! As long as I'm making something you want to watch then I am happy :D

[@obamasinladen947]

actually a really great video. U definently deserve more subs

[@iAletho]

I'm glad you liked it, and thank you! :)

[@strongfish92]

this is one of the most underrated channels ever. great job!

[@treddox5880]

I was really interested in playing the game on Steam Deck, even though it was marked as “playable” instead of “verified.” Shortly after I bought it, they put out an update that said (I’m paraphrasing), “Hey, we noticed that the game wasn’t verified on Steam Deck, so we went in and fixed that. It’s verified now! :)” That’s when I knew that I could trust the game was gonna be good, if the developers were still caring for it after all this time. And I was right. I think it’s in my Top 10 most favorite games of all time.

[@grubskies4221]

This video is honestly so impressive. I expect you to have at least 20k subscribers but wow

[@iAletho]

Thanks Grubskies! Maybe one day haha 😂 1K is the current goal! Thanks for watching :)

[@_eya]

As someone who's been playing Subnautica since 2015, seeing it's very early development is awesome. Really good video!

[@tipperdipper1149]

wtf how does this have only 18k views! This is easily the quality of 500k or more views >:) Great breakdown of the game's development, I've grown to love Subnautica last year more than any survival game and learning more about it is super awesome

[@thedrakestorm8755]

Besides this game being amazing, this video is really well put together and taught me a lot, keep it up

[@iAletho]

Thanks Drake Storm! I'm glad I could give you some new info!

[@TheLoos3Goos33]

I remember watching IGP play this game through the early development and it was a great feeling to watch each update make the game better and better, while also taking player feedback seriously.

[@lenompasbanal2478]

I have a little anecdote to share with you guys. Back when I was broke broke, and only had a portable computer to play games on, I got a cracked version of Subnautica because I was dying to play the game. Once I was done, I noticed to "Feedback" button, and so I decided to profess my love for the game and that I would definitely buy it when money would be there. It was more of a letter in a bottle thrown at sea in my mind, just like every Feedback system is in every game I've ever played. To my surprise, I received an answer, a very chill one, where they thanked me for the kind words and encouraged me to buy the game when I would be able to. This single instance, on top of making me buy the game just a few years later, made 4 of my friends buy the game on my incessant praising. I've also bought and played Below Zero. Whoever sent that message back, I wish for you eternal happiness.

[@felixkraemer2432]

oh i still remember, i got my divers licensce at 13 and build my first gaming pc at 14 and then at the start of 2016 i saw a youtube video about a submarine being addet to a game and i instantly knew i needet to get this game now over 7 years later its one of my top 3 favorite games of all time

[@AntonSuprun]

I think Subnautica is a rare gem. It's a result of a passionate team working on the game, early access mechanics giving them the means to do so, a solid community of fans promoting and playtesting the game, and a whole lot of luck and chance. The game surviving till full release is just plain coincidence. Which makes it even better IMO.

[@kingleonidas2182]

Knowing all this just cements Subnautica as one of the best games ever imo

[@mrmellow1144]

You are so underrated! I’ve watched multiple of your videos without even knowing!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Mr Mellow! Appreciate ya sticking around!

[@acrobotic321]

what a great, well edited and scripted video! subbed!

[@cebul9267]

High quality video, very entertaining!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Cebul! I'm glad you enjoy it! :)

[@Wint9rification]

I was wattching this and thought this wwas one of those bigger millions sub content creators, and looked down to see only 500 subs for this high quality video? This is really good work man, i hope you views you deserve someday soon

[@Wint9rification]

@@iAletho ❄️🤧😅 nothing but the truth, it's np. Keep making good content !

[@harveyanimations8974]

The great thing about subnautica is once you start, your hooked. You can’t stop

[@princesscadance197]

Companies when a startup has a revolutionary idea: 'Nah, we don't want to fund you. Players won't like that.' Companies when that same startup hits the gold rush and grosses $50m: 'Let us buy you.'

[@gold264]

Nice video! You are one awsome small youtuber!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Gold! It seems this video has blown up a bit and I'm feeling the love right now! Thanks for watching!

[@vintrontheexonite5745]

Great vid!

[@thegermanfool8953]

it's amazing how listening to people's ideas and theories can improve a game so much! subnautica has been out for years and the game is still going hard

[@iAletho]

The community is very much still alive and well, which is a credit to how good the final game ended up being!

[@purplehaze5946]

Your channel is so underrated bro

[@Jens_Heika]

This is pretty cool.

[@lostinthemesozoic]

The subnautica team are one of the most community friendly and kindest souls I've seen, they thanked the hell out of Jack, kept the community updated, and put so much passion into their project. I wish more game teams were like this...

[@terrypvcringe9093]

Fantastic video essay, you should think about doing more!

[@iAletho]

I certainly will Terry!

[@misterdressler9345]

Cory's concept art for Natural Selection as well as Subnautica... Simply kills! He's the best.

[@goombis2510]

9:43 aye that's my boi the Brickster!

[@345635356]

I'm a novice game dev with 0 funds or team-mates and a general medium-level understanding of Unity and Blender. How Subnautica was made is inspiring enough that I'll wanna emulate it some day, but demanding enough that that day is gonna be a ways away... No way in hell am I subjecting my amateur ass to that much scrutiny right now, I just can't walk that walk yet. But man, hopefully some day...

[@Baallek]

Very interesting video :) Good job 👍BTW you have good voice!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Damian!

[@JohnFartblast]

This was an interesting video mate

[@howdydobuckeroo1204]

I literally just started getting back into subnautica when this video released. I was trying out modded subnautica for the first time now. I’m using FCS and it’s been very fun.

[@iAletho]

Howdy do Buckeroo! There's always a good time to get back into Subanutica! Can't say I've ever tried it with mods though, what is FCS? Thanks for watching! :)

[@howdydobuckeroo1204]

@@iAletho it’s a huge mod. Completely changed the gameplay. It turns base-building into a incredibly useful element of the game, through automation. You can look it up, there is one KZbinr who had pumped out a bunch of content regard it’s while the mod was still in development. You can watch a brief overview of the mod from there.

[@iAletho]

@@howdydobuckeroo1204 thanks man I'll be sure to give it a look!

[@robbiecommie4941]

Hold on this only has 8.1k views? I genuinely expected more views because is a pretty good video it's well made and not incredibly long other than that I first played subnautica right before the prawn suit was added man the early access was a fun time

[@Rychuxd]

quality contet you deserve way more veiws

[@iAletho]

Thanks FOXOGAMING! :)

[@NishGajjar10]

Great vid bro

[@iAletho]

Cheers Gaming Fire!

[@primordialsoul1715]

Played many games over the years & there’s nothing like Subnautica I still revisit the game time to times in 2023 🙃

[@kaidavdic]

great video!

[@laokimsan9851]

Subnautica is my most favorite game when I watch subnautica in 2017 but I like swimming too :D

[@alexdarm6168]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@iAletho]

I'm glad you like it Alex! Thank you for watching!

[@kidvid6645]

Love the video!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Kid Vid!

[@vortop1017]

you're videos are very high quality, but I assume the algorithm gods have not blessed you. I hope for the best for you and this and others of your videos are top notch!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Vortop! The algorithm seems to have pick me up recently, I was on 500 subs a month ago and things seem to have climbed quite rapidly since then! It's been a crazy ride!

[@XensRebirth]

Yoooooo I'm ready for a banger

[@tjepting1]

To start, I have watched a ton of Subnautica videos, and this is probably the best one yet. Subscribed now, and going to check out other vids. It's so crazy how Subnautica turned out so well from where it started. It's now a behemoth in the survival genre. I am so happy early adopters gave it a chance and in turn it succeeded. This allowed it to become a franchise instead of a singular game that never would have left early access like so many others that don't. It's one of my favorite franchises of all time. Can not WAIT for Subnautica 3!

[@iAletho]

Thanks man :)

[@goran5844]

Im so glad that Subnautica succeeded its probably my favourite game of all time

[@CL4PTRAPS_SQUIRE]

There's a new completely underwater game coming out and it looks interesting

[@harbour2118]

These devs were absolutely smart in exploiting fear and the community are probably insane in loving being horrified

[@XensRebirth]

2:52 ah yes I've been waiting for the breathing option

[@F0rever.B0red]

This game is a good gem to start survival games and probably the only one

[@GreenRadiantDude]

3:42 you craft something. That thing: stasis rifle. (NO GUNS POLICY)

[@MemeBeans5]

We really need more devs like subnautica's

[@louisbaldwin1416]

I would love to see storms in subnautica

[@Hobodeluxe960]

my idea for Subnautica 3. a throwback to the Degasi crash and we rp Marguerite. We solve the puzzle of how she avoided dying of Kharaa. We interact with the Torgal npcs. It ends when we ride the reaper carcass to the BZ area. Subnautica : The Degasi saga.

[@iAletho]

Thats a good idea Hobdeluxe960! We could also slowly see how the other members of the Degasi cew slowly die / go insane which would be an interesting twist! Now that would be one wild ride! Thanks for watching! :D

[@aniranci]

Great video!

[@iAletho]

Thanks Aniranci!

[@aniranci]

@@iAletho you replied! Ahhhh yay

[@iAletho]

@Aniranci stay awesome my friend :)

[@aniranci]

@@iAletho 😳 yay

[@aniranci]

Also. What do you think of my videos?

[@spectrickx1678]

Woah, that feedback system looks really smart.

[@carguy4811]

Awesome video for an amazing game.

[@iAletho]

Thanks B Parker! An Awesome comment from an amazing viewer! :P

[@pirusaogostoso741]

As someone who played subnautica since its release on steam, I can tell you guys, what a unique experience, I felt like part of the development team, looking at their roadmaps, what they were implementing and fixing, testing it on the game, actively giving feedback, I remember always being excited not knowing what to expect from their next update.

[@thedude7319]

Streamers have created so much useable data for game devs, I love such events

[@TheRealUnconnected]

Just started another playthrough of this game, for the third time since release. It is truely a very special game, unique and different to so much else. Its a real shame BZ didn't hit the same high water mark.

[@iAletho]

100% agree, BZ just didn't hit the mark unfortunately :(

[@Kabutoes]

It always felt like Underwater Minecraft to me

[@turtlewithcoffee3248]

Love it ❤❤

[@Portos_O_1os]

no guns to kill leviathans? the stasis RIFLE and the thermoBLADE: Allow us to introduce ourselves

[@ParvinBut]

How did subnautica not win the best audio design it has amazing music

[@MrMacavity]

The first game is one of my all-time favorite games. Awesome mix of mystery, exploration, danger, crafting, building, goal, difficulty and some light hearted fun. Sadly I did not enjoy the second game at all, as it seemed way too linear and hand-holding, and way too much dialogue. Looks visually impressive, but it seems to differ way too much from what made the first game feels so amazing. First Subnautica ia a clear 9/10 for me, as no game is perfect. Second game is ... 5 or 6/10.

[@Maefdul]

Min 8:35 upper left corner is the cyclops docked to the base?

[@StarboyXL9]

What I love about this development process is that Paradox is essentially doing the same thing with Stellaris. It just works.

[@001matol]

Love that game

[@melodybales2038]

I FUCKING LOVE THIS GAME. So glad it has taken off

[@4lzh31mer]

I would love for you to dissect BZ in a similar fashion, since the end result was something completely different

[@iAletho]

I do plan on doing something like this 4lzh31mer, it just depends on how much info is out there at the moment (I haven't done any research yet) but its definitely on the to do list!

[@tabathashaffer16]

The part where he said until your body wash’s up in the Bermuda Triangle got me dying and saying well that’s enough KZbin for today

[@iAletho]

Time to sign off Tabathashaffer! 😂

[@tabathashaffer16]

@@iAletho that’s what I was saying man

[@daorasama]

The reaper leviathan was responsible for most of the game sales🤭...the best reaction ive seen in stream is when they met the reaper for the 1st time...only by seeing the tail in the murky water will send shivers down yr spine.. we want more dangerous creature like reaper in the next game...gave us the option to fight it too..this is also whats lacking in BZ...the game is too safe

[@TurKlack]

10:40 This is what is missing in Below Zero. Artificially created places to explore. Subnautica had the Aurora, the Islands, the Alien Architecture. The entire Map was filled with places you might never find 10 New Game starts later. Below Zero has practically nothing like that. Just... Some claustrophobic overworld areas with to many Heat Flowers, even smaller underwater sections with to many air refreshers, and some random MMO like Quest Objects to stumble upon. And it get's even worse if you find a way to glitch yourself on the overworld areas that have nothing on it..... Those were actually beautiful. Those areas were also big enough that the Iceworms could actually move around them, and didn't had to spawn right under your feet.

[@pepperbark8822]

They still could add multiplayer, and those other things, and I hope they do

[@galling2052]

No guns only means that reaper has suffer more: termoblade + stasis knife

[@SirPotato43]

this video fells like it's been made by a channel with 200k subs, well done

[@iAletho]

Thanks SirPatato! I have to say you're look very dapper in that monocle and top hat!

[@SirPotato43]

@@iAletho Thank you

[@lcousin6731]

From bankruptcy to brilliance to below zero

[@fernandoqueirozpopovic7024]

something that really dissapoints me about the second installment is that they didn't do it the same way as this, they could have made everything so much better. but we shall see if they make it worth while in the 3rd game

[@krispt8835]

Nice video

[@iAletho]

Thanks Krisp! Glad you enjoyed it! :)