Publisher Krafton has publicly accused the former leadership of Unknown Worlds, developers of Subnautica 2, of abandoning the game’s development. This strong statement follows the recent firing of the studio heads and significant delays to the game’s release, escalating a brewing conflict between the two entities.
A Profound Sense of Betrayal
Krafton, known for PUBG, acquired Unknown Worlds in 2021 for $500 million, with an additional $250 million in earn-out compensation tied to performance targets. A significant portion of this bonus, 90%, was allocated to Subnautica designer Charlie Cleveland, CEO Ted Gill, and co-founder Max McGuire. Krafton’s recent statement expresses a "profound sense of betrayal" by these former leaders, alleging they failed to uphold their responsibilities.
Allegations of Abandonment and Delays
- Failed Leadership: Krafton claims the former leadership "abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them," leading to "repeated confusion in direction and significant delays."
- Missed Deadlines: Subnautica 2 was initially slated for an early 2024 early access launch but has been significantly delayed, now expected in 2026.
- Refusal to Engage: Krafton states that despite multiple requests, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire declined to resume their roles as Game Director and Technical Director, respectively.
- Personal Projects Over Game Development: Krafton specifically highlighted that Charlie Cleveland chose to focus on a personal film project instead of Subnautica 2 development, particularly after the failure of Moonbreaker.
- Content Shortfall: The current version of the game is said to "fall short of content volume," contributing to the 2026 delay.
The Financial Incentive and Lawsuit
The $250 million earn-out compensation was intended as a bonus for achieving specific milestones. Krafton had expected Cleveland, Gill, and McGuire to demonstrate active involvement in Subnautica 2‘s development to earn this. The publisher has now committed to providing "fair and equitable compensation for all remaining Unknown Worlds employees" who have contributed to the game, suggesting a reallocation of the bonus structure. This public dispute comes amidst reports that the former Unknown Worlds founders, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, along with former CEO Ted Gill, are filing a lawsuit against Krafton.
Industry Reactions and Future Outlook
This unusually harsh corporate statement confirms significant behind-the-scenes tensions. While Krafton maintains the decision to delay the game was not financially motivated, there was speculation that the delay aimed to avoid the $250 million payout. The Subnautica community remains divided, with some siding with Krafton due to the game’s long development, and others supporting the former Unknown Worlds leaders who were instrumental in the original Subnautica‘s success. The situation remains contentious, with further developments expected.
