Another Highly Wishlisted Game Just Moved Its Release Date Up Because Of Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2, Steam’s most-wishlisted game, has finally received an official release date of May 14, 2026. The announcement has already prompted cascading changes in the gaming industry, as other developers scramble to avoid launching on the same day.
Square Glade Games, developer of the cosy life sim Outbound, has moved their game’s release date forward by three days to May 11, stepping aside to avoid direct competition with Subnautica 2. Outbound is currently the 13th most-wishlisted game on Steam, making it a successful title in its own right, but the studio determined that launching alongside such a highly anticipated release would be commercially unfavorable.
“Even though we are very hyped for their game and big fans of the franchise, we think that it is best to not compete with such a highly anticipated title on that day,” Square Glade Games stated, using the phrase “dodge the Leviathan” in reference to Subnautica’s iconic creatures.
The move reflects the significant pull that major releases can have on the gaming market, with developers of other titles opting to shift their launch windows to avoid overshadowing. The situation highlights the challenges faced by indie and mid-tier developers when navigating release schedules around blockbuster titles. By moving their launch earlier, Square Glade Games hopes to secure player attention during their own release window.