The waters surrounding the highly anticipated Subnautica 2 have become decidedly murky. Instead of anticipation building around recent trailer footage, the focus has dramatically shifted to a public dispute between parent company Krafton and the former leadership of developer Unknown Worlds, coupled with rising calls for a fan boycott.
At the heart of the storm is the game`s delayed early access release. Originally eyed for sometime this year, the new target is reportedly 2026 for PC and Xbox Series X|S. This delay isn`t just a calendar shift; it`s entangled in accusations, financial stakes, and the fate of a significant potential bonus for the Unknown Worlds team.
Bonus Blues and Boiling Tensions
Reports initially surfaced, notably via Bloomberg and echoed by fan discussions, suggesting the Unknown Worlds team was set to receive a share of a substantial $250 million bonus contingent on meeting financial goals in 2025. The implication was that an early access launch in 2024 was crucial to hitting those targets, and the delay jeopardized this payout.
A viral Reddit post, since removed but not forgotten, directly accused Krafton of deliberately delaying the game to avoid paying these bonuses, fanning the flames among a concerned fanbase now considering a boycott.
Krafton`s Counter: Accusations of Abandonment
Krafton, having acquired Unknown Worlds for a reported $500 million, has not remained silent. In a pointed statement, they offered a starkly different narrative. Krafton claims the “inevitable leadership change” – referring to the departure of founders like Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire – was driven by “project abandonment.”
According to Krafton, a significant portion (90%) of that $250 million payout was specifically allocated to three former executives with the expectation they would actively lead *Subnautica 2*`s development. Krafton alleges these individuals “abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them.” They claim repeated requests were made for Charlie Cleveland (as Game Director) and Max McGuire (as Technical Director) to return to their roles, which were declined.
Krafton`s statement paints a picture of a struggling development process, asserting that following the underperformance of another title, *Moonbreaker*, Cleveland chose to focus on a “personal film project” instead of *Subnautica 2*. They contend that the absence of this core leadership caused “repeated confusion in direction and significant delays,” leading to an early access build that “falls short in terms of content volume.” The publisher expressed deep disappointment and a “profound sense of betrayal” by the former leadership`s actions.
The Other Side: Game Ready, Lawsuit Filed
The former leadership, specifically Charlie Cleveland, offers a competing perspective. Cleveland maintains that *Subnautica 2* was indeed ready for an early access release from the development team`s standpoint. He clarified that the decision now rests solely with Krafton, leading to the 2026 timeframe.
Addressing the bonus situation directly, Cleveland refuted the idea that he and the other executives intended to keep the potential earnout for themselves. He stated that profit sharing with the team has always been their practice, both before and after the studio`s acquisition, and they fully intended the team to benefit from this bonus as well, earned through their “incredible work.”
In a dramatic turn, Cleveland confirmed that he has filed a lawsuit against Krafton, suggesting details of this legal battle will eventually shed more light on the complex situation.
Uncertain Waters Ahead
While Krafton has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to “provide the rewards they were promised” to the team who have contributed to the game`s continued development, the specifics remain vague. A spokesperson noted they are “working on a fair and equitable compensation,” but concrete details on how the team will be compensated despite the executive bonus structure being seemingly tied to the departed leaders and the missed target are still awaited.
This corporate clash leaves the *Subnautica* community divided and concerned. Fans are caught between supporting the development team and boycotting the publisher perceived as potentially shortchanging them and delaying a beloved franchise sequel. With a lawsuit now in play and two vastly different accounts of the development saga, the path forward for *Subnautica 2* and the Unknown Worlds team appears anything but smooth sailing.
Ellis Thorne