Krafton has released the third developer blog for Subnautica 2, this time looking at the first unfriendly leviathan encounter in the game, the Collector Leviathan, and showing how the team is using Unreal Engine 5 AI features for character behaviors.
The Collector Leviathan is an enemy that’s powered by Unreal Engine’s AI to be tense and offer dynamic interactions. The developer blog shows early concept art for the creature and the process of developing it.
Part of this process focuses on the AI behaviors that Unreal Engine 5 offers. Between behavior trees and stimulus systems, the Collector Leviathan is able to react to things like light and sound. Even actions that the player takes create reactions to the hostile creature.
The Collector Leviathan is designed to look as realistic as it acts — as realistic as a leviathan can appear. Its tentacles are fully simulated and lifelike, and they act unpredictably. Additionally, a powerful roar sounds when players get nearby, causing a shockwave at the same time.
The AI designer for The Collector Leviathan Antonio Muñoz Gallego shared his thoughts about the design:
“The Collector Leviathan is not just a monster that blindly attacks players. It is an intelligent and highly threatening deep-sea lifeform that actively reacts to player behavior and pursues them. Our main goal with our creatures was to make them feel reactive, so the Leviathan is constantly re-evaluating the situation in real time. To achieve that, we use Unreal Engine 5 behavior trees and our AI stimulus system.”
Players can check out the Subnautica 2 developer blog about the Collector Leviathan below:
Subnautica 2 is set to release in 2026 on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
For more news on what Krafton has been up to, check out its plans to focus on first-party IP and its acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games.
