Subnautica 2 took Steam’s sales charts by storm last week
Valve has released its latest Steam sales rankings for the period from May 12 to May 19, 2026. The ranking is based not on the number of copies sold, but on the total revenue generated, and in this article, we will only consider paid titles.
The launch of Subnautica 2 proved to be a rare case where Early Access didn’t scare off players, but rather fueled excitement to the limit. Unknown Worlds’ new underwater survival game had such a strong launch that it sold 2 million copies in just 12 hours, and its Steam online player count exceeded an impressive 467,000 concurrent players. For the survival genre, this is already on par with the largest releases of recent years.
Following this success, the game instantly topped the latest Steam sales chart for paid titles. Even its inclusion in Game Pass didn’t hinder sales—a situation that once again demonstrates how strong the audience’s love for the series remains. It seems players are willing to buy Subnautica not only for access, but also simply to support the project, which has become almost a cult classic over the years.
It’s also interesting that the sequel’s success has literally catapulted the entire franchise. The original Subnautica, thanks to a 75% discount, shot up the Steam sales charts, taking third place. Subnautica: Below Zero followed in the top ten. This feels like a rebirth for the series, much like how The Witcher 3 once soared again after the success of the Netflix series.
Forza Horizon 6 debuted in second place, already being called Xbox Game Studios’ most successful release on Steam. Below it are Diablo IV, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and Battlefield 6.
It’s especially curious that Subnautica 2 achieved this result without the aggressive marketing of AAA giants. The game emphasizes atmosphere, exploration, and a sense of the unknown—something often lacking in modern blockbusters. Judging by the initial player feedback, the developers haven’t broken the original formula, but have carefully expanded it, adding more scale, co-op, and new dangers in the ocean depths.
It looks like we’re looking at one of the most high-profile launches of 2026—and an excellent example of how to properly develop a fan-favorite series without turning it into a soulless production line.
- Subnautica 2
- Forza Horizon 6
- Subnautica
- Diablo IV
- LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
- Battlefield 6
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Subnautica: Below Zero
- NBA 2K26
- Gamble With Your Friends
