Unknown Worlds reveals Subnautica: Below Zero, a stand-alone expansion to Subnautica that will launch into Steam Early Access in the coming months. This preliminary news doesn't include too many details, but a new website is online with what they are revealing for now. They also head off concerns that this will distract from the process of porting Subnautica to consoles, saying the expansion is being handled by a different team. Here's early word:

Unknown Worlds is building a stand-alone expansion to Subnautica, called Subnautica Below Zero. Set in an ice-bound region of planet 4546B, after the events of the original game, Below Zero will offer a new chapter in the Subnautica universe. We would like to show you some of Below Zero's concepts, and share our plans for release.

In the coming months, we will release an unfinished, early version of Below Zero in Early Access. We will then begin releasing consistent content updates, carefully crafting the game based on your feedback - Just like the original Subnautica.

The concept of Below Zero is still developing. We are keeping the core gameplay mechanics, such as base building and open-ended exploration. We are also exploring new ones, such as thermal management, and more voiced dialogue at the core of the plot. We're still in early stages and nothing is set in ice. These features may change prior to, and during, Early Access.