The Biology of Subnautica: Below Zero | Part I
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
- A documentary-style deep dive into the oceans of Subnautica: Below Zero. Explore the ocean of Sector Zero, and discover the biology of incredible alien lifeforms. (Part II: • Biology of Subnautica:... )
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Alex Ries Social Media
Alex Ries Twitter: / alexriesart
Alex Ries Patreon: / alexries
Curious Archive Social Media
Twitter: / curious_archive
Instagram: / curiousarchive
The frigid ocean of the video game Subnautica: Below Zero teems with incredible life - from gigantic herbivores to vicious carnivores. Like the tropical seas of the game’s predecessor, this environment feels truly unique: an undersea world of bewildering landscapes, detailed ecosystems, and surprising mysteries. Many of the aliens in Below Zero were created by Alex Ries, one of the most talented creature designers out there. And unlike the first game, in Below Zero, dangers lurk both above and below the water…
So, for this entry into the archive, we’ll embark on one of our documentary-style expeditions, charting biomes under the waves and upon ice; encountering both friendly - and deadly - forms of arctic life. This two-part series will analyze the biology behind these puzzling aliens, and investigate how they compare to life in Earth’s oceans. And although this experience once again ranks among the scariest I’ve had while doing fieldwork for the Archive, I’m determined to document this alien world firsthand.
So, let’s dive in together, and explore the freezing depths of Sector Zero…
0:00 Biology of Subnautica: Below Zero
1:13 Pengwings
2:06 Penglings
2:45 Coral Bridges
3:37 Arctic Peepers
4:11 Brinewing
5:24 Titan Holefish
5:59 Symbiote
6:44 Arctic Kelp
7:46 Sea Monkey
8:45 Arctic Storm
9:25 Spy Pengwing
10:18 Lilypad Islands
10:48 Noot Fish
11:20 Brute Shark
11:52 Lily Padder
12:38 Glow Whale
13:47 Thermal Lily
14:37 Snowfox
15:03 Snow Stalker
16:09 Snow Stalker Baby
16:25 Ice Worm
17:30 Aurora
18:52 Outro
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I do not own the images, music, or footage used in this video. All rights and credit goes to the original owners.
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Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
#CuriousArchive #Subnautica #SpeculativeBiology - Ігри
When I played Below Zero, I picked up a Pengling and was immediately attacked by a Pengwing, so I ran, accidentally taking the Pengling with me. I stored it in a locker for the rest of the game and my nephew and I joke that I "kidnapped a child"
Lol
😂 oh no…
You did tho 😂
I took them *all*
I like to think you and the pengling bonded over this traumatic experience and became best friends.
I love that the creators gave some creature fur-like coverings! I've seen waaaayyyy too many scaly or smooth-skinned aliens over the years. It's nice to see some aliens converge on feathers and fur for once.
Fluffy aliens!!
Man, Now I want to draw even more fluffy feathery aliens just because of your comment!
@@Thundernugget Easier to render shiny things.
@@tompatterson1548 exactly , fur is hard to animate and rig , scales are easier by comparison
Well tbh for me, feathers and furs are prob too earth like so thats prob why
I believe the thermal lillies are adapted to expend so much energy generating heat and track your movement as a defense mechanism. Small creatures like insect- or bird-like organisms that may land on it would be deterred by the heat, and larger creatures would be startled by the heat and large, intimidating fan of 'petals'. It's also possible their heat serves to help control the temperature of their 'stems' and attachment points to keep them from freezing or being covered by snow, as we can see the heat they radiate can melt the snow on the ground below it that's about their stem's length away
It could also be a hunting mechanism. Rapid changes in temperature can cause organisms to go into shock and pass out or even die.
@@divyanshgupta6 Tho that is true, it is unlikely they hunt or need to, seems like they thrive off of the energy/radiation heat from the sun, they don't need any other substances or have to hunt for much, a defense mechanism seems like something they would need if all they do is sit and absorb sunlight, it makes a lot of sense
Additionally, maybe the organism is actually much larger than just the flower, like a fungus, that would make the energy expense less extreme compared to it's mass
Interesting hypothesis
I was thinking "surely it's a predator because the heat would attract animals" but instead good point. It's basically its own defroster, the heat would make insulated predators uncomfortable, and the eye would definitely deter predators kind of like how some butterflies have "eyes" on their wings.
👏👏👏👏👏
It could also be a purposed organism at the precursors first attempt at thermal energy manipulation
I’m enthralled by the concept of a spacefaring society chronicling creatures that they come across! You’ve earned a new sub, especially for the high quality!
I couldn't do this job, it's in my nature to try petting everything
@@Zero-The-Hunter bro same. i can never be a photographer cause i would just cuddle and pet everything i met
Lol
All fun and games until that said spacefaring society is the Qu, and we are one of the creatures they come across
God I wish I could do that as a job. Imagine being a space biologist. I wouldn't even need to get paid to be as happy as a person could be
I love this so much, especially that you treat it like it's a real documentary. LOVE things like "Pengwings show a high degree of convergence with Earth penguins" rather than "their design was inspired by..." Immersive fun done very well, thanks for letting me revisit one of my favorite games!
Edit: YOU CAN PET THE WHALES??? I'm starting the game again. I knew you could ride them, but I didn't realize you could interact more!
YOU CAN RIDE THE WHALES
When he said "The Titan Holefish has evolved to be remarkably unintelligent" I really felt that... I'm a Titan Holefish...
How did you even type this then!? You ain't got no arms, hands, or fingers!
@@zacharymabb4873 give a titan holefish a typewriter and eventually it will push random buttons with its face and write a shakespear worthy book.
When I saw the hole fish my first thought was that the hole could be meant to look like an eye from a much larger creature, scaring away predators.
Same!
in a world full of leviathans, pretending to be one probably works very well as a survival strategy
Well allow me to give all speculative evolution fans a friendly welcome!
Have fun watching!
Also it's quite interesting how this man can talk about things that I've heard 1000 times and still make is sound interesting af
You have a new subscription coming from my son whenever he makes his own UA-cam account! He loves this game and after your last video on Subnautica he’s had his fingers crossed that you’d cover Below Zero as well 🙏
Thank you both!
@@CuriousArchive Absolutely, your content is top notch! My son and I both geek out when it comes to anything about astronomy and your channel warps us there 👽
Can manicores, minotaurs hydras and cyclops exist and evolve ?
Yo its the Chad father hope your having a good day
@@jynx3978 I'm pretty sure cyclopses already exist in form as a mutation
I always assumed the titan holefish was like a sunfish and that it only survived cause it was too big for anything to eat, but once again the attention to detail in this game impresses me
I have never thought I would be interested in any type of biology but ever since I’ve been watching this channel I’ve found it extremely interesting love your channel and congrats on getting close to 200K
Tilted towers
The Subnautica games are something special. 4546b has quite the unique biology. I'm definitely interested to see what Unknown Worlds has in store for the series.
Always loved these games, so glad you're covering them!
Thank you, more to come!
except this one, after playing it it's kinda meh. the worldbuilding though is great
@@DaveDotEXE I wasn't a huge fan of how they made the Precursor a main character. I liked them being this nebulous entity that died off eons ago
Subnautica 3 was just announced
I’m sure you’ll cover that when it comes out
I see you have the same investigative tendencies I do.
"Is it friendly?"
*SNARL*
"Not friendly."
This document style video just goes to show how intricately detailed this beautiful game is in the seemingly most insignificant way while still holding some value. Great video, I can’t wait to see more
Anyone else noticed how similar a sea monkey and a warmer are? I looked at the warmer lab experiments...its not an exact match...but close enough to be related...which I think is an amazing ( if true) little easter egg🙂
Been watching and enjoying a lot of CA vids...looking forward to the next episode in this genre...thanks!
Do you mean a warper?
@@ChrissieBear lol...yep, warper. Autocorrect sabotage...sorry.
@@solospirit4212 Maybe the Sea Monkeys are the species that the people that created the Warpers used for their experiments
@@HannibalKantter Nod...or a close, tropical sea relative. There has been a lot of engineering...cyber and bio that created the warper. But it makes sense to me they are related. 🙂
This has always been my favorite things about the subnautica games with all of the biodiversity!
I absolutely love the Subnautica games, the creativity of the biodiversity the devs put into the design of the game, not to mention the story is unlike anything out there right now. I have a particular soft spot for Hoopfish (if anyone follows MFPallytime on YT or Twitch, you know why). Cant wait for the next installment, the deeper lifeforms are gorgeous, terrifying, and alien, yet dont seem out of place. Until you pass the Worlds Edge, that is. Then its just terrifying and alien.
I like Sea Monkeys and if I were an immortal ethereal being I would absolutely have these guys on my "Observation" list.
Their behaviour is very interesting and cute in a way. I was never bothered by their kleptomania since I always would hide my tools away from them. The way how they move then they do take you item is... Playful, I would say. I don't think they really mean anything bad then they take something from you. Oh, and then they bring "gifts"! It's absolutely adorable, and, maybe, they understand a concept of "gifting" or maybe even "trading". And if they ever come out on land, like stalker's did... Well that would be interesting to see.
I can imagine their civilization being built on collecting, trading and gifting (well, maybe a tiny bit of thieving as well. They would be the cutest thieves thought).
They are so colourful as well, I can see how they might have the most colourful clothes in the universe (if they decide to wear clothes).
Basically, I really like them, they are cute and quite smart.
Lily paddlers are neat too.
Frick it, ALL CREATURES IN SUBNAUTICA SERIES ARE COOL AND NEAT!
I love your videos so much, they’re so soothing and well thought out. Great job CA ❤️
Glad you like them!
Words cannot explain how long I've been waiting for this
Frfr subnautica and curious archive are the best
omg on pins and needles for part 2. unlike a vocal portion of the subnautica community, I absolutely adore below zero's environs. seeing this video pop up on my feed absolutely made my day. Thank you for covering this game.
I love the thought and research that went into designing the fauna in these games! It's not perfect biology, but it's clearly inspired by the development of life on earth. I love exploring these creatures as if they were real!
If BBC or other "natural" tv channels would've got into gaming, this is probably will be the result.
These series of videos is so charming and interesting, that the feeling of my childhood rushes back from depths of my mind and locks my attention to the screen. Soundtrack and voice of the "researcher" almost hypnotising, in a pleasant way of course.
By the way, the style of videos is truly perfect with this type of execution. A researcher with an expedition to chart and explore planet's biology and geography sounds like something we might get in the not-that-distant future, and if so, i probably want to become one of these people.
A truly beautiful experience.
Subnautica are truly beautiful yet terrifying games, especially in VR
Day 3 of asking Curious Archive to do the biology of PNF-404
CA, you should check out “In other waters” some day! Its about a zoologist cataloguing news species in an alien ocean! It’s a short game, and rather abstract minus some sketches and artbook pics, but it has such an “alien” feel to the biosphere!
Finally! Can't wait for part 2. It's like national geographic for speculative evolution here, and I'm all for it
Would love a series like this on the fallout games people have talked about creatures biology but I've never seen anyone talking about the ecosystem and how the creatures live together
That's becaus bethesda adds mostly predators.
Rad chicken, rad rabbit, cat, dog, deer, plus the crows, seagulls and marine carcasses there's plenty to talk abt besides the deathclaw
I just think the way he acts like he's there would be so good for the fallout series
@@mikeemous1410 most of them are predators, many are just real animals and almost all non predators aren't from bethesda.
Fun fact: there's a frozen leviathan that is very large, it has legs and could walk on land and swim in water
So, My Top Five Favorites (this includes creatures from the second entry) Are The Sea Monkey, The Symbiote, The Pengwing, The Arctic Ray And The Pinnacarid. My Two Favorite Leviathans Are The Shadow Leviathan And The Ice Worm. I Also Like To Think That The Lily Paddler And The Sea Monkey Are Related.
How
I'm talking about your theory
@@kevinwowiling7753 So I’m coming back to this in August and I just realized I COMPLETELY ignored your question, so…here’s why I think the Lily paddler and Sea Monkey are related: I think they’re related since they both have arms and relatively similar body shapes. Also, I feel that they’re distant relatives rather than close ones, since they’re still fairly different from each other.
loved the echoes when you got hypnotised by the lily padders really ehanced the immersion
mannn what a great content creator. you can tell he’s really deeply interested in the subject matter, but still keeps a degree of fun in his videos. and on speculative biology nonetheless! one of the most interesting topics imo. thanks for such good videos, keep it up man!
I love you how you make different scenarios to showcase the different inventions like the pengling spy camera
The fact that this game documentary is far more indulging compared to nat geo means its really smtg else!
man I love watching these vids
can't wait to see part 2!
also I would love to see you make a series like this on a dinosaur game called The Isle
If character design class taught me one thing, it's always to ground the design in reality, and then make something fantastical from it. I love how possible the animals in Subnautica are, even if they are a bit more sci-fi than what we have.
Curious Archive has a video on Darwin IV, a speculative ecosystem on a fictional planet. You might like it. I wouldn't doubt that the designers of Subnautica took some influence from it. The creatures might seem a little _more_ sci-fi than even Subnautica, but it's only because the planet's atmosphere is totally different than ours.
@@bugjams I saw that documentry prior to the video. I really loved what I saw. It's on par with Avatar(the blue people) for Alien life for biology.
Been loving the Subnautica speculative biology series! Can't wait for part 2!
Titan holefish and symbiote is probably the most creative creature design I've heard
Your stuff is incredibly interesting, can't wait for part 2.
I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT WHAT IF YOU MAD THIS VIDEO! so glad you did you're videos are *chef's kiss* perfect
I just finished your documentary on Subnautica 1’s biology today so I’m happy to see this in my recommendations
Honestly blew me away. Love your style of realistic documentary for fictional flora and fauna, can't wait for part 2 now. I would love to see something like this made on Monster Hunter's incredible ecosystems.
I just finished your videos on Subnautica and saw your comment about possibly making a video or two about Below Zero, great timing! And great video!
Hell yeah! I love this series on subnautica so much. You have such a good documentary voice btw.
Your content is some of the coolest (hah) around. I really enjoy the character of the "Archivist" travelling to different realities and worlds to document all the strange life out there. It's also fun that there is a bit of science beneath it all.
Truly a unique and fascinating channel and I urge you to keep up the fantastic work. We here back on Earth enjoy your insights and expeditions, Mr. Archivist!
Such a wonderful premise executed so perfectly, great job
This is a refreshing way to see in depth analysis of a games biology. Keep it up! I'll definitely watch all of it
Your videos are amazing!!
I've been watching them for days. The way you present these videos, styled like an actual exploration is perfect. Interesting. Very well narrated. You're a legend!
hope in the distant future human beings are able to do these sort of things for real.
This game art design is just beautiful
"I wonder if it's friendly"
*immediately attempts to maul you*
"Not friendly."
I laughed a little too hard at that.
You're channel is wholesome and endearing. I love it, it's cute and fun and your voice is perfect for your videos. Thanks for making these, good watch to decompress after work!
I ADORE the documentary style!! It's so fun and a delightfully creative way to show off both this game and the amazing creatures within!
One of the best videos I’ve seen in a while, didn’t even notice it was 20 minutes long I was jsut so enthralled
My favorite series returns! These videos are some of my favorite I have ever watched
I would love it so much if this became a series with other games!
Bro u having TOO much fun making these🤣 I'm I love the way you communicate these wonderful ideas, and how you occasionally wind a narritive in there. keep being awesome dude.
I love these documentary style expeditions🙂! Your narratives are imaginative and humorous. Keep up the great work👍🏾
You make these videos so well. I just wanted to say that. Like it keeps interesting and fresh the whole 20 minutes.
1:30 I love penguin mimics the names are the best part
I dont know why but every time subnautica documenting is always get me
I can't remember the last time i was this upset about a video being over! Great stuff my friend, i can't wait for more.
I love seeing how all the creatures share features like the beaks and 4 eyes (or spots where a second set once was), it really helps to show how these are all part of their ecosystems and not just a load of aliens lumped together
I found this channel from the Subnautica video, since then I had watched other videos and loved them. Thanks for your work.
This is one of the very best videos on Below Zero,Seriously
I freaking love your videos so much! Keep up all the hard work and stay curious!
Imagine a documentary themed on Subnautica and narrated by David Attenborough!
Awesome crunch has one. It’s 3 parts
I was hoping you would make this one! Thanks again!
Seeing this thumbnail in my subscriptions has made my evening, I love the lore of this game and I'm so excited!
I had commented on one of the other subnautica videos saying you should cover the creatures of below zero, and I'm pretty certain that this is just a coincidence, but it was an amazing first part, I can't wait until the next part
Thanks again for making videos like this. Fascinating to see people discover this world from another perspective :)
Seeing from another point of view. You don't know what it's like until you experience it yourself. *Chef's kisses
@@elitekiller8968 wtf are you talking about? What does ego have to do with anything?
@@elitekiller8968 He has 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 opinions wdym
@@elitekiller8968 almost like hes a human being with his own beliefs
@@elitekiller8968 also looked it up his twitter and what you just said was an utter lie since most of the stuff he does infact is post nature photographs and art pieces mixed with some political ones. Just because hes an artist doesn't mean he can't talk about other subject
AMAZING can't wait for part 2 :D
Man dude I am seriously glad you make videos cause you fill a niche like pbs eons or mothlight media, but for mostly fictional universes. Keep up the great work
I enjoyed this immensely, i really felt like i could be watching your experiences while you travelled there.
Your presentation came across with the almost certain possibility that thousands of kids in another part of the galaxies, there are kids watching this knowing this will help them through some sort of exam.
Below zero might not be the lightning in a bottle that Subnautica was, but the creature designs can definitely stand up to their predecessors. Now the sounds they make, that's a step down. One roar is the same as any other in BZ. When a reaper or sea dragon roars, you know exactly what's making that sound.
This is such a cool way to portray your Walktrhough. It's so interested written and te camerashots are beautiful. I await the next part :D
These are so amazing, the video made me interested in subnautica! Im so impressed by how well they made the biology in the game and still fill the resemblance in our own
could you do a video on the biology of Ark? It's actually really cool when you consider the backstory and how the ecosystem is managed
My recommendations for your videos once you have done part two of the series:
The World of Kong - A Natural History of Skull Island
(it depicts the biota of the Peter Jackson King Kong movie and it is very epic)
Speculative Dinosaur Project
(Alternate Earth where dinosaurs didn't die out - This may take a very long time as it is very comprehensive and also unfinished)
Love your channel.
Grettings from Brazil 🇧🇷
I just saw your Subnautica videos the other day and was wondering if there was a Below Zero! Wonderful coincidence!
brilliant video, as always!!
This was amazing!! Always fascinated about the biology of subnautica and this is just the perfect way to deliver it
Love your subnautica videos! I am trully amazed by your ability on making this documental type videos, keep up the good work.
What a great video! Can’t wait for part 2
I was VERY impressed with this speculative biology -- it is a well done mix of influences that also makes good use of the audience without being overly pandering. I also enjoyed how you narrated it. Thank you.
have been waiting for a below zero version since your first subnautica video. Good work :)
Awesome video! Absolutely love the Subnautica games. Can't wait for the second part.
"Is it friendly...... not friendly"
Fuckin killed me with how casually it was delivered
You should do Natural Selection 1 and 2 next. The aliens from that game are the result of the virus from Subnautica escaping into the wider universe.
Amazing video, what an underrated channel! Can’t wait for part 2!
I love this series man keep it up!
11:22 the Brute Shark reminds me of the Dunkleosteus, an prehistoric carnivore sea creature, also known as the swimming tank. The Dunkleosteus’s jaws and teeth are actually all one big bone. His teeth are pieces of his skull that it uses to slice prey.
For some reason, the Brute Shark makes me think of Leopard Seals. The way it moves, the silhouette, it's preferred prey.
@@formorian5 I understand what you mean. But if you look at their skull, the dunkleosteus and Brute shark really look like they’re relative’s
@@skeloluke4967 Interesting note about Dunkleosteus - not that you got anything wrong - but it's bony plate probably _wasn't_ visible on the surface. Granted, we'll never know for sure because all we have are fossils. But back in the day, many paleontologists "shrink-wrapped" fossil bones, thinking the skin was super tight around the bone and that the shape of the creature was more-or-less the same as its skeleton. My point is, Dunkleosteus likely had a thick layer of tissue and skin covering its face. In fact, when its lips were closed, you probably wouldn't see its giant crushing teeth at all! It just looked like a huge fish.
That said, I think the bony look is way _cooler,_ and if you're doing a sci-fi or fantasy animal based off prehistoric bony fish, then I think showing the bone plates is the way to go. That said, you'll make a lot of paleo enthusiasts really giddy and happy if you use a more modern understanding of prehistoric body structure... but it won't look as cool. :P
Tl;Dr: Boney plates probably weren't visible on ancient fish, but when designing a sci-fi creature, you're always choosing between realism and "cool factor" :)
Already commented on your last video but thank you for another Subnautica episode! Much appreciated!
the pengwings treating the spybot like how we treat mark zucchini, clearly not one of us, but we’ll leave it be anyways
I KNEW someone had to do this. So glad I found it
Can't wait for part 2!
OMG I was hoping you would make this video after watching the one about the biology of subnautica 😍 I love this!
I'm very much intrigued with these sort of videos-the research is remarkable and the story telling is charming. I'm subscribing-you're awesome! Hope you are doing well :)
Wow this was amazing!! So engaging keep it up