The highly anticipated sequel to the beloved underwater survival game, Subnautica, has hit turbulent waters. Parent company Krafton has officially confirmed the authenticity of a leaked internal development review for Subnautica 2. This document paints a critical picture of the game`s progress, directly contradicting expectations for an earlier release and shedding light on recent significant events, including the departure of key Unknown Worlds studio figures and ensuing legal action.
The leaked review, which reportedly assessed a May 2025 build of the game, detailed numerous shortcomings compared to development goals set in 2023. Among the reported deficiencies were substantial content cuts, including approximately six hours of planned gameplay, the removal of a dedicated game mode, a reduction in the number of biomes, and the absence of a planned leviathan creature and vehicle. The document concluded that the build fell short of targets and strongly recommended a reassessment of the release timeline and content roadmap. It seems the game wasn`t quite ready to dive into early access as initially hoped.
In response to the leak circulating online, Krafton issued a statement confirming the document`s legitimacy. A company spokesperson stated that “Milestone reviews are conducted regularly… to assess development progress, define clear objectives, and ensure that each project aligns with Krafton`s standards in both creativity and quality.” While presented as a standard procedural step towards “delivering polished, high-quality games at the right time,” the timing of this confirmation alongside the leak and subsequent delay suggests these reviews, in this case, highlighted rather serious issues indeed.
This development saga is further complicated by reports suggesting the delay might be linked to a substantial financial incentive. Bloomberg previously reported on a potential $250 million bonus due to Unknown Worlds from Krafton should certain financial milestones be met in 2025. With Subnautica 2 now pushed back, achieving those targets becomes unlikely. The situation escalated publicly with fans expressing frustration and some calling for a boycott, while Krafton responded with an uncharacteristically blunt statement accusing the former Unknown Worlds leadership team of abandoning their responsibilities related to the sequel.
Adding another layer to this corporate drama, former Unknown Worlds co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, along with former CEO Ted Gill, are reportedly launching a lawsuit against Krafton. This legal battle is expected to be a lengthy process, potentially spanning years. In the meantime, the development team at Unknown Worlds continues to work on Subnautica 2, which is now officially slated for release on PC and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2026. The path forward for the deep-sea adventure sequel appears as challenging and unpredictable as exploring an alien ocean floor without a map.
Ellis Thorne