Does Subnautica: Below Zero take place on the same planet?

Subnautica: Below Zero has been out for nearly a month and there seems to be one question still unbeknownst to many players. That question revolves around whether or not the world of Below Zero takes place on the same planet as the original game, Subnautica. 

The reason this question is so prevalent in the community is because of the huge differences between the two titles. While there are some resources and craftable items that remained the same, the overall world is completely different. There are brand new creatures, with no overlap from the original, and drastically different environments. 

Sure, both worlds have vast oceans filled with different biomes and shipwrecks. However, many players still wonder if the same planet is used for both titles. 

The planet of Subnautica: Below Zero

The answer to the question is a simple yes. Planet 4546B is the home to both the original Subnautica or Subnautica: Below Zero. Why the worlds of each game look so different is explainable in a couple of different ways. 

Below Zero has a different look than the original game. (Picture: Unknown Worlds)

First and foremost, the planet was first discovered 1,000 years ago (of game time) by people known as the Architects, or Precursors. These people went to the planet, which is near Star 4546, in order to find a cure for the Kharaa Bacterium disease. 

Following The Architects’ arrival, several other ships from the Alterra company went sent in order to set up bases and study the planet’s secrets. These ships didn’t meet happy endings on the planet though, as the Aurora, Degasi and Mercury II all crash-landed. 

In the original game, the player assumes the character of Ryley Robinson on board the Aurora. They, however, get off the planet and tells Alterra everything that he experienced on the planet. Around a decade after this, Alterra establishes many bases on the planet, most notably ones in Sector Zero. They also launch The Sentinel ship to orbit the planet and study it. This is where the story of Below Zero begins. 

Robin Ayou of Subnautica: Below Zero. (Picture: Unknown Worlds)

Researcher Robin Ayou lands on the planet to study it for The Sentinel. Unlike in the original, Robin explores a completely different side of the planet. This is why there are frigid terrains and different biomes/creatures. 

So, in short, yes; Below Zero takes place on the same planet as the original game, just on a different part and further into the future.