How to Change FOV in Subnautica 2 (Field of View Guide)

TL;DR

  • Subnautica 2 does not have a native FOV slider in the settings menu as of Early Access launch.
  • The default FOV is 90. Many players find this too narrow and report motion sickness.
  • Method 1 (easiest): Edit GameUserSettings.ini — add FieldOfView=110.000000 under the settings header and set the file to Read-only.
  • Method 2: Edit Engine.ini — add a custom FOV line and set to Read-only.
  • Method 3 (most flexible): Install the Comfort Tweaks mod via Nexus Mods with UE4SS — lets you toggle FOV in-game with F7.
  • Unknown Worlds has confirmed an official FOV option is planned for a future update.
  • Recommended range for most players: 100–110. Avoid going above 120 as it may cause issues.

One of the most common complaints since Subnautica 2 launched in Early Access is the lack of a Field of View (FOV) slider. The default FOV of 90 feels too zoomed in for many players, especially those on ultrawide monitors, and is a known trigger for motion sickness during long dives.

The good news is there are three working methods to change your FOV right now — no official slider required. This guide covers all of them, from the simplest config file edit to a full mod install.

Subnautica 2 Featured 2
Subnautica 2 Featured 2

Why Is There No FOV Slider in Subnautica 2?

The FOV slider is missing because the game is still in Early Access. The original Subnautica had a fully functional FOV option, so this is almost certainly a temporary omission rather than an intentional design choice. It is one of the most upvoted feature requests on the official Subnautica community feedback board, and Unknown Worlds has confirmed to PC Gamer that official FOV options are planned for Early Access.

Until that update arrives, the methods below are your best options.

Method 1: Edit GameUserSettings.ini (Easiest Method)

This is the quickest fix and does not require any mods. You are editing the game’s config file directly to force a specific FOV value.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Close Subnautica 2 completely before making any changes. The game overwrites config files on exit, so editing while it is running will not work.
  2. Press the Windows key and type %localappdata% then press Enter.
  3. Navigate to the following folder:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%\Subnautica2\Saved\Config\Windows\
  4. Find and open GameUserSettings.ini with Notepad or any text editor.
  5. Scroll down until you find this section header:
    [/script/subnautica2.s2gameusersettings]
  6. Directly underneath that header, add this line:
    FieldOfView=110.000000
    Replace 110.000000 with your preferred value. See the recommended values section below.
  7. Save the file.
  8. Set the file to Read-only so the game cannot overwrite your change: right-click the file → Properties → check the Read-only box → click OK.

Launch the game and load into a save to see the change take effect.

If Method 1 Does Not Work

If you do not notice a change, try these alternative variable names under the same header instead of FieldOfView:

  • DesiredFOV=110.000000
  • fFOV=110.000000
  • CurrentFOV=110.000000
  • FieldOfViewMultiplier=1.2 — note this is a multiplier, not a direct value. 1.2 means 20% wider than default. 1.5 means 50% wider.

Also try placing the line under [/script/subnautica2.sn2settingslocal] instead if the first header does not respond. Make sure the game was fully closed before saving your edits.

Method 2: Edit Engine.ini

Some players find the Engine.ini approach more reliable. This method uses the same config folder but a different file.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Close Subnautica 2 fully.
  2. Navigate to:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%\Subnautica2\Saved\Config\Windows\
  3. Look for a file called Engine.ini in that folder. If it does not exist, create one — make sure the file extension is .ini and not .ini.txt. An easy way is to copy and rename GameUserSettings.ini and delete all its contents.
  4. Open Engine.ini with Notepad and paste the following:
    [/Game/Mods/CustomFOV/ModActor.ModActor_C]
    CustomFOV=90
    Replace 90 with your desired FOV number.
  5. Save the file and set it to Read-only — right-click → Properties → check Read-only → OK.

This prevents the game from deleting your changes the next time it launches.

Method 3: Install the Comfort Tweaks Mod (Most Flexible)

If you want a proper in-game toggle and the ability to change FOV on the fly without editing files, the Comfort Tweaks mod is the best option. It adds a configurable FOV setting with an optional F7 key to toggle it in-game and resets cleanly back to default when disabled.

This mod requires UE4SS, a mod manager tool used for Unreal Engine games. Here is the full install process:

Step 1: Install UE4SS

  1. Go to Nexus Mods and download the UE4SS Mod Manager for Subnautica 2.
  2. Extract the downloaded file. You will get a folder called ue4ss and a .dll file.
  3. Copy both items and paste them into the following directory inside your Subnautica 2 installation folder:
    \Subnautica2\Subnautica2\Binaries\Win64\
    On Steam, find this by right-clicking Subnautica 2 in your library → Manage → Browse Local Files.

Step 2: Download and Install Comfort Tweaks

  1. Download the Comfort Tweaks mod from Nexus Mods (search “Comfort Tweaks” on the Subnautica 2 section).
  2. Extract the downloaded file. You will get a folder called Subnautica2ComfortTweaks.
  3. Copy that folder into the Mods folder inside your ue4ss directory:
    \Subnautica2\Subnautica2\Binaries\Win64\ue4ss\Mods\
  4. Inside the same Mods directory, find and open the mods.txt file with Notepad.
  5. Add the following line to the list of mods in that file:
    Subnautica2ComfortTweaks : 1
    Save and close the file.

Step 3: Set Your FOV Value

  1. Navigate to the Subnautica2ComfortTweaks folder you copied into Mods.
  2. Open the scripts folder inside it.
  3. Open config.lua with Notepad.
  4. Find the line that reads Target FOV = 100 and change 100 to your preferred number.
  5. Save and close.

Launch the game. The Comfort Tweaks mod will apply your FOV setting automatically. Use F7 to toggle it on and off in-game. When toggled off, it returns to the game’s default FOV.

Recommended FOV Values

Not sure what number to use? Here is a practical guide:

  • 90 — Game default. Fine for standard 16:9 monitors but feels narrow to many players.
  • 100–105 — A comfortable step up. Noticeably wider without looking distorted. Good starting point for most players.
  • 110 — Popular choice among players who want a clearly wider view. Works well on 16:9 and 16:10 screens.
  • 115–120 — Noticeably wide. Better for ultrawide monitors or players who prefer maximum visibility.
  • Above 120 — May cause visual distortion or instability. Not recommended unless you are on an extreme ultrawide setup.

Higher FOV shows more of the world around you, which reduces motion sickness for many players. Lower FOV can feel more cinematic but narrower. Start at 100 or 105 and adjust from there based on how the game feels during a swim.

Does Changing FOV Help With Motion Sickness?

Yes, for most players it does. A narrow FOV is one of the main causes of nausea in first-person games because it exaggerates the sense of movement relative to what you can see. Widening the FOV from 90 to around 100–110 gives your visual field more context and reduces that disconnect between what your eyes see and what your body feels.

If you are still experiencing motion sickness after adjusting FOV, also consider reducing your swim speed during exploration. Our guide on how to swim faster in Subnautica 2 can help you find a pace that feels comfortable.

Will Subnautica 2 Get an Official FOV Slider?

Yes, almost certainly. Unknown Worlds has confirmed to PC Gamer that official console commands and FOV options are planned for Subnautica 2’s Early Access period. The original Subnautica had a full FOV slider in its settings menu, so adding one here is a natural step. The community feedback board shows it as one of the most requested quality-of-life features, which makes it a priority for an upcoming update.

Until then, the config file methods and the Comfort Tweaks mod are reliable workarounds that work well for the vast majority of players.

Common Issues and Fixes

Changes are not saving between sessions

This is the most common problem. The game overwrites config files when it closes. The fix is simple: after editing your file, set it to Read-only. Right-click the file → Properties → check the Read-only box. This stops the game from writing over your changes on exit.

I edited the file but nothing changed in-game

Make sure the game was completely closed when you made the edit. If you edited while Subnautica 2 was running in the background, the game will have overwritten your changes on exit. Close the game first, make the edit, set Read-only, then relaunch. Also try launching the game and loading into a save first to let it generate the full config structure before editing.

The FOV change is very subtle or hard to notice

Small value differences around the 90–95 range look very similar in motion. Try jumping to 105 or 110 to see a clear difference. If you are using FieldOfViewMultiplier, remember it works as a ratio — 1.1 is only 10% wider, which is subtle. Try 1.2 or 1.3 for a noticeable change.

The mod is not working after install

Double-check that both the ue4ss folder AND the .dll file are in the correct Win64 directory. Also confirm the Subnautica2ComfortTweaks entry was added correctly to the mods.txt file with the right syntax. The game needs to be launched fresh after installation.

Quick Tips Before You Dive In

  • Always close the game before editing config files. Editing while the game is open means your changes will be overwritten.
  • Always set config files to Read-only after editing. Without this step, your values will reset every session.
  • Start with 100 or 105 if you are unsure. You can always go higher after testing.
  • The Comfort Tweaks mod is the cleanest long-term solution if you want in-game control without editing files before each session.
  • If you are playing on Xbox Game Preview, note that these PC config methods do not apply. Console players will need to wait for the official FOV slider update. Check the Subnautica 2 Xbox Game Preview page for the latest update news.

Note

The missing FOV slider is one of the most requested fixes in Subnautica 2 right now, and it is coming in a future update. Until then, the GameUserSettings.ini edit is the fastest solution for PC players who just want a quick fix, while the Comfort Tweaks mod is the best choice if you want proper in-game control and toggling.

Either way, getting your FOV to a comfortable range makes the game significantly more enjoyable — especially during long underwater exploration sessions. Once you have your view dialled in, you will be ready to push further into the deep.

For more help getting the most out of your time in the water, check out our Subnautica 2 beginner tips and tricks, our guide on how to increase inventory space in Subnautica 2, and if you are pushing into late-game content, our guide on how to get the Feedback Resonator in Subnautica 2 will help you tackle the tougher zones ahead. You can also explore everything available in Subnautica 2 on Steam.

Mark Smith

Mark Smith covers the latest gaming news with the speed and precision of someone who definitely keeps too many tabs open. With years in the industry and a sixth sense for what’s about to trend, he turns breaking updates into clean, hype-ready stories gamers can trust.From surprise studio announcements to patch notes that accidentally start wars on social media, Mark is always on the frontline making sure you know what’s up before the rumor mill even warms up. When he’s off the clock, he’s probably doomscrolling trailers, judging controller designs, or explaining—again—why his backlog is “totally under control.”

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1 Response

  1. Lingfeng says:

    Handy FOV-change tip. With wider FOV the supply crate spotting is easier, but I still use Subnautica 2 Map for coordinate confirms when planning longer dive routes: https://subnautica2map.com/

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