Subnautica 2 Update 1.2 'Buddy System' Brings Proximity Chat, Inventory Sharing, and Emotes

Developer updates for Subnautica 2 continue to roll out during its early access journey, with Update 1.2 arriving on August 19th. Titled the "Buddy System" update, this new patch focuses heavily on cooperative play, quality-of-life improvements, and multiplayer features following publisher Krafton's plans to expand the franchise.

Chief among the additions is the long-promised proximity voice chat. As detailed by creative director Anthony Gallegos, the local chat option dynamically adjusts based on distance—making friends sound louder when close and quieter when far away. If players split up further, the audio transitions to sound like a radio signal losing reception before breaking up entirely. Alongside voice communication, the update introduces player emotes, including thumbs up, thumbs down, raising fists, and clapping, which can be used to react to friends.

Multiplayer inventory management is also receiving an upgrade. Players can now directly share inventory items by walking up to a teammate and opening a direct transfer menu, eliminating the need to drop items on the ground. Additionally, if a player gets downed, teammates have a short timer to swim up and share oxygen to revive them. Customization options expand with two new playable characters and extra suit colors.

Other quality-of-life improvements included in Update 1.2 involve the new Tracking Tag. This item can be thrown into the environment to track objects, placed inside a portable locker to act as a beacon, or carried to extend a black box signal range across greater distances upon death. Heads-up display (HUD) icons have also been adjusted to appear smaller by default and scale up as players get closer, preventing icon clutter. Pinned recipes see improvements, and the base-building tool now clearly indicates when a structure cannot be placed.

Looking ahead, creative director Anthony Gallegos also teased Update 2.0, which is set to feature a new vehicle, a new region, and an encounter with the Collector Leviathan.