Subnautica is filled with hidden Easter eggs, ranging from posters and developer nods to tributes and pop culture references. Some are easy to spot, while others are rare or even removed from the final release. Here’s a breakdown of all the Easter eggs you can find in the game.
Unusual Doll
Several developer references are hidden throughout the game as well. Early on, the PDA mentions that weapons were removed from survival equipment following a massacre on Abraxas Prime. This is a subtle nod to Abraxas, an animator at Unknown Worlds. Another dev-inspired Easter egg comes from Chorus Trader, who is referenced in a data download inside the Aurora that talks about the hive mind of the Strader Six colony. Trader was a developer responsible for many creative concepts in the game, and his name was immortalized in the lore.
Unknown Words
One of the most common discoveries is the set of collectible posters. These can be found scattered in wrecks and the Aurora. Popular examples include the Prawn Suit advertisement, a cute cat poster, and a reference to Natural Selection 2, a game developed by Unknown Worlds before Subnautica. Alongside the posters, players can also come across a George plush toy, another nod to Natural Selection 2, which adds to the game’s quirky decorations.
Star Trek
Another hidden joke comes from a databank entry in precursor ruins. Instead of the usual translation attempt, there is a small chance of a jazz track playing while the PDA states “Resistance is fertile.” This is a playful twist on the famous Star Trek line, “Resistance is futile.”
Jacksepticeye
YouTuber Easter eggs also made their way into the game. Septic Sam, Jacksepticeye’s mascot, was introduced just before the game’s release. This plush could be redeemed via a special code, and interacting with it triggered sound clips taken from Jack’s videos. Unfortunately, the codes no longer work, making it inaccessible today. Markiplier also received his own tribute in the form of the Unusual Doll. Designed to resemble him during his playthrough of Subnautica, complete with red hair, the doll can be found in Lifepod 7. Like Septic Sam, it can be placed inside a Seabase and interacted with, producing mostly screams from his series.
Cyclops
The Cyclops submarine also holds a rare secret. Usually, when boarding, the AI greets the player with “All systems online.” However, on rare occasions, this is replaced with a playful pun: “You are the captain on this planet.”
Donald Trump
Audio Easter eggs also appear in unexpected places. In the soundtrack for the Sparse Reef, listeners can faintly hear Donald Trump saying “China,” an odd but intentional inclusion by the game’s sound designer. Not every Easter egg survived to release, though. During early access, repeatedly leaving and re-entering the Seamoth could trigger a humorous but inappropriate line. This was later removed to ensure the game met its E10+ rating.
Honorable Mentions
There are also a few honorable mentions worth noting. Some databank entries reference a creature called the “Starwhal,” which may be a nod to the indie game Starwhal, where players battle as flying narwhals. Additionally, a few alien relics, such as the rifle and doomsday device, were reused assets from Unknown Worlds’ other project, Future Perfect. Since that game also included the Alterra Corporation, this could imply a connection between the two universes.
CHBClive Tribute
Finally, the most heartfelt Easter egg in Subnautica is a tribute to a community member. In the databank entry for the alien translation device, the game references CHBClive, a forum user who made significant contributions to translating Subnautica into Chinese. Sadly, he passed away from cancer before the game’s completion, and the developers honored his efforts by including his name in the game.
Conclusion: These Easter eggs add charm, humor, and even emotional weight to Subnautica. From posters and plush toys to developer tributes and subtle audio jokes, they reflect the creativity of the developers and the community’s impact on the game.
