Subnautica's standalone expansion Below Zero enters PC early access next week Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Subnautica's standalone expansion Below Zero enters PC early access next week Full game coming to Xbox One and PS4. News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 26 Jan 2019 18 comments Developer Unknown Worlds has announced that Below Zero, the ice-themed standalone expansion for superb underwater exploration adventure Subnautica, is entering early access on PC next week, January 30th. Below Zero was announced last August and is described as a "new chapter" in the Subnautica story, unfolding across a previously unseen, ice-bound region of ocean planet 4546B. At the time of the reveal, Unknown Worlds confirmed that Below Zero's development approach would be similar to that of Subnautica's base game, and that it would be "carefully crafting" the new experience based on player feedback during a period of early access. Below Zero's Steam early access page is now live and reveals that development is expected to last approximately one year. The initial early access build, due on January 30th and also available via Discord and the Epic Games Store, will feature around 1-2 hours of story play-time. "Starting environments are richly detailed, voice acting is present, and bugs are frequent but often not game-breaking," explains Unknown Worlds, noting that "performance (frame rate) is poor relative to what we want in the finished game." The developer also confirms that Below Zero's price is expected to increase by around 25 percent when version 1.0 eventually arrives - it'll cost £15.49/$19.99 USD on all stores during early access. Elsewhere, Unknown Worlds explained that it's hoping to launch Below Zero's version 1.0 on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 simultaneously. "We don't know if we can do it," the developer admitted, "but that is our target, and we'll keep you updated on our progress." The studio is also exploring the possibility of releasing Below Zero as part of Xbox One's Game Preview programme prior to the project's completion. Unknown Worlds will be heralding the start of early access and unveiling Below Zero's first trailer during a special celebratory livestream event from 6pm, January 30th in the UK. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 5 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store