A notable collaboration was unveiled at today’s Triple-i Showcase by Mintrocket, the developers behind Dave the Diver. This final DLC for the game, slated for an early 2027 release, will unite the marine worlds of Subnautica 2 and Dave the Diver.
A Unique Deep-Sea Synergy
This crossover DLC blends the deep-sea exploration elements of both games, albeit with different tonal styles. While Dave the Diver has previously partnered with varied brands like Balatro, Yakuza, Godzilla, and Guilty Gear, the thematic link with Subnautica 2 is particularly harmonious.
Exploring New Horizons
The Subnautica 2 collaboration DLC will be offered at no cost and was developed alongside the Subnautica 2 team from Unknown Worlds. In this update, players will encounter the oceanic moon of Proteus within Dave the Diver. Here, characters Dave and Bancho, having catalogued all sea life and sushi recipes in their original dimension, venture into a new realm ripe for discovery.
Along their journey on Proteus, players will face Subnautica 2’s renowned Leviathan, make alliances, and potentially unveil numerous breakthroughs before returning home. According to Mintrocket’s studio director, Jaeho Hwang, although both games share an aquatic setting, Subnautica’s distinct exploration style presented an opportunity to inject a fresh twist into the Dave the Diver experience.
A Labour of Love
Subnautica 2’s creative director, Anthony Gallegos, highlighted the mutual admiration between the two teams, describing the DLC as a “love letter” to both games’ loyal fans. He anticipates that players will greatly enjoy what the crossover has to offer.
Success and Future Prospects
Those interested can now add the Subnautica 2 x Dave the Diver DLC to their wishlist on Steam. Subnautica 2 made substantial waves this year with its early access launch, selling over 5 million copies within a month. This remarkable success prompted publisher Krafton, despite previous legal altercations with the game’s original creators, to elevate it to a “franchise IP”.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.