And I can't wait. Having finished the original game after several restarts during its time in Early Access and Xbox One Preview, and thoroughly loving every second of it, to know we'll be heading back to Planet 4546B under different circumstances and in an ice-themed location, with the potential for more unique and interesting biomes... well, the heart just flutters.

It's been a big handful of months for Unknown Worlds. They officially 'retail' released the PC version of the game in January, and followed that up with the announcement the game was being ported over to PlayStation 4 with the help of Panic Button (Doom, Rocket League) that would also come packaged with new, unique and exclusive content for Sony's console. Moreover, the studio asked the folks at Panic Button to take over completion duties of the Xbox One version as the team was stretched too thin and have more of a background in PC development than they do with console, and Panic Button has apparently already had a major impact on tightening up that ship, with a release scheduled sometime in "Fall" (Spring for us, so over the next month or two, we hope).

The new standalone effort, Below Zero, was revealed via a "concept site" that shows off art and gives a glimpse at the sort of vibe the studio is going for here.

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.

Adding that:

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.

As well as:

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.

Our very own arctic oceans are still places of mystery, so we can only imagine how this might turn out, and with the experiences of the first game, player-feedback and design maturity behind them, Below Zero could deliver and even more complete and engaging experience than the base game -- no small, or mean, feat.

Check out some concept art below.

https://www.ausgamers.com/gameres/6088/images/custom/Arctic_Icebergs.600x932.jpg

http://www.ausgamers.com/gameres/6088/images/custom/Arctic_Trench.600x345.jpg

http://www.ausgamers.com/gameres/6088/images/custom/Arctic_Brinicles.600x329.jpg