A significant controversy has erupted around the highly anticipated game Subnautica 2, leading to its delay and the ousting of key Unknown Worlds leadership. A leaked internal assessment from publisher Krafton revealed demands for more content and polish before the early access launch, contradicting earlier assumptions about the delay’s origin and sparking a bitter dispute.
Subnautica 2’s Content Controversy
- Krafton’s internal development analysis, dated May 2025, highlighted concerns about Subnautica 2‘s readiness for early access.
- The assessment stated that while the game contained a variety of content, it "lacks the freshness and volume expected of a sequel."
- This directly led to the decision to delay the game’s release.
Missing Features and Content Cuts
Krafton’s analysis detailed several key areas where Subnautica 2‘s 2025 build fell short of its target early access launch specifications set in 2023. These included:
- Two fewer biomes than originally planned.
- One less leviathan creature.
- A missing vehicle.
- A removed game mode.
- One narrative delayed, resulting in approximately six hours of cut content.
Krafton’s statement confirmed that "the current target content volume has been reduced or adjusted across various elements such as biomes, creatures, equipment/progression, and features." This gap between the current state and initial planning necessitated a reassessment of the release timeline.
Leadership Ousted Amidst Betrayal Claims
Following the content dispute and delay, Unknown Worlds co-founder Charlie Cleveland, along with Ted Gill and Max McGuire, were ousted from their positions. Krafton publicly accused them of a "profound sense of betrayal" and of having "abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them." Krafton specifically alleged that Cleveland prioritized a "personal film project" over Subnautica 2‘s development.
Conversely, Cleveland has stated that the three have filed a lawsuit against Krafton. This escalating legal battle adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation.
Shifting Narratives and Fan Reactions
Initially, some fan speculation, particularly on social media, suggested that the ousted Unknown Worlds developers were the ones pushing for more development time, while Krafton was eager to hit the original release window. However, the leaked documents and Krafton’s subsequent statements clearly indicate the opposite: Krafton was the party demanding more content and polish, leading to the delay.
Despite Krafton’s detailed internal metrics, some uncertainty remains. It’s possible that what Krafton perceived as a lack of progress was a reasonable rescoping by Unknown Worlds, which could have been addressed during an early access period. Without further information from the Unknown Worlds team or direct access to the game, the full picture remains elusive.
