# Subnautica: Below Zero Stranger Pings Update

- Product: Subnautica: Below Zero (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/subnautica-below-zero)
- Vendor: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Date: 2020-08-13
- Original notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/848450/view/2753341279128088191
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/subnautica-below-zero/releases/2020-08-13-stranger-pings-update

What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog.

Reuse: the summaries, labels and curation here are © What's New. Quote freely with attribution and a link back; wholesale republication of the corpus is not permitted — terms: https://whatsnew.fyi/terms. The vendors' own release notes remain their publishers'.

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- **added** — New character portraits and base detailing to uncover in abandoned Alterra bases
- **added** — Unlockable employee profiles and personal items in Alterra bases
- **added** — Symbols and name plates added to exterior of Alterra bases
- **added** — New base decorations including Executive Toy, Aromatherapy Lamp, and stairs for surface bases
- **added** — Precursor symbol markers for Artifact locations manageable through the PDA
- **added** — Object Highlighting accessibility option with color selection to highlight interactable items
- **changed** — Improved grass and terrain fading technology to reduce pop-in
- **changed** — Additional detail and polish work added to Deep Lilypads and Iceberg Zone biomes
- **changed** — Rock Puncher now trawls the ocean floor in search of sustenance and unearths resources
- **changed** — Squidsharks now utilize a new lightning attack to chase away threats
- **changed** — Creature pathing and animations updated for several creatures

A new update is available for [Subnautica: Below Zero Early Access](https://store.steampowered.com/app/848450/Subnautica_Below_Zero/). Mystery awaits you in Stranger Pings. Investigate the abandoned Alterra bases, unlock new base decorations, experience new creature behaviors, and much more. Visit the [Stranger Pings site](https://unknownworlds.com/subnautica/below-zero-stranger-pings-update/?k=8) to learn more!

-  Dig deeper into the mysteries of 4546B with new character portraits and base detailing

-  Decorate and personalize your base with new props and stairs for surface bases

-  Enjoy a smoother ride – with significantly less pop-in – thanks to improved grass and terrain fading technology

-  Discover further detail and polish work in Deep Lilypads and Iceberg Zone

-  Experience new creature behaviors, including Rock Puncher improvements

-  Utilize the Object Highlighting accessibility option to showcase interactable items

https://youtu.be/KNyR2yAlv_8

##### Alterra Base Polish

As you investigate the abandoned Alterra bases on 4546B, you will now uncover additional environmental storytelling. Learn more about the scientists that lived and worked on the planet prior to your arrival, ranging from unlockable employee profiles, to personal items and decor. It’s even easier to know which base you’ve arrived at too, with symbols and name plates added to the exterior!

##### Base Decorations

Add a touch more personalization to your own bases after you root through the Alterra labs, with the futuristic Executive Toy, a calming Aromatherapy Lamp, as well as stairs for your surface bases.

##### Artifact Pings

Never lose an Artifact in the world again! A Precursor symbol will now accompany any Artifact locations on the planet, which can all be managed through your trusty PDA.

##### Known Issue: PDA Unlocks

PDAs that you have previously collected during your playthrough may reappear with this update. If you have already unlocked them, you will not be able to pick it up again. We are working on a solution for the next update.

##### Biome Detail and Polish

Further detail and polish work has been added to Deep Lilypads and the Iceberg Zone. Revisit these impressive biomes to discover just how rich and vivid the world is becoming.

##### Creature Behaviors

The behaviors of several creatures that inhabit the vast waters of the planet have been revamped with this update. The Rock Puncher now trawls the ocean floor in search of sustenance, which also unearths resources that you can pick through. Squidsharks utilize a new lightning attack to chase away any threats. Other creatures have also seen updates to their pathing and animations, so make sure you get out in the world and interact with them... if you dare.

##### Object Highlighting

This feature can be found under the new Accessibility section of the menu. With a selection of colors to choose from, you’ll be able to highlight objects in the world that you can interact with.

##### Follow Below Zero development

You can find out about upcoming updates in all sorts of ways. Sign up to the [Development Newsletter](https://unknownworlds.com/subnautica/newsletter) to receive word every time an update is released. Follow the [Unknown Worlds](https://store.steampowered.com/developer/unknown-worlds) and [Subnautica: Below Zero Steam](https://steamcommunity.com/games/848450) groups to get a notification on Steam. You can also:

- See update sneak peaks by following [@Subnautica](https://twitter.com/subnautica) on Twitter

- Get live source code changes by following [@SubnauticaSCM](https://twitter.com/subnauticascm) on Twitter

- See update news on (https://facebook.com/subnautica)

- Watch update summary videos on (https://youtube.com/subnautica)

- Satisfy underwater Instagram craving by following [@Subnautica](https://instagram.com/subnautica)

- See our task lists & milestones on (https://favro.com/organization/35200a08dbbad85b26102638/0d9378db42299691bb14c708)

- Chat with f

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/848450/view/2753341279128088191]_