The upcoming game Subnautica 2 has recently been overshadowed by an escalating conflict between its publisher, Krafton, and the former leaders of its developer, Unknown Worlds. Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill were reportedly removed from the studio, leading them to file a lawsuit against Krafton. Their claim centers on Krafton`s alleged attempt to avoid paying a substantial $250 million performance bonus. In a notable turn, Krafton has now altered its legal reasoning for why the leadership team was dismissed.
Initially, Krafton had asserted that the founders intended to launch Subnautica 2 into early access prematurely this year, primarily to secure their performance bonus. However, when the founders` legal representatives, Fortis Advisors, requested evidence to support this claim during the trial`s discovery phase, Krafton was unable to provide any. As a result, Krafton has since retracted this specific point from its legal filing, no longer citing it as a basis for the founders` termination. Fortis Advisors characterized this development as a “seismic shift in the case” and expressed a degree of bewilderment.
Despite withdrawing this particular argument, Krafton continues to maintain other accusations against the former leadership. These include allegations that the founders neglected their responsibilities to ensure Subnautica 2`s completion and that they downloaded confidential files and retained devices containing sensitive company information. It`s worth noting that these details reportedly surfaced only after the leadership team had already been removed. Krafton argues that these post-dismissal discoveries retroactively validate their decision to terminate the founders` employment.
Fortis Advisors, conversely, contends that Krafton has not been adequately cooperative during the discovery process, reportedly ignoring requests for communication and the sharing of information pertinent to the case. The most recent information indicates that both sides have mutually agreed to confer, signaling a potential next step in the ongoing legal proceedings.
While the courtroom battle may extend for several years, the impact on public perception has already begun. Following widespread calls from fans for a boycott of Subnautica 2, stemming from reports that the $250 million bonus was being withheld, further details about the bonus structure have emerged. It has been reported that Krafton has extended the bonus period into the next year. This extension is purportedly to give the current Unknown Worlds team a better chance to meet financial benchmarks and earn a $25 million bonus, which would be distributed among 40 employees. The remaining $225 million of the original bonus would have been designated for the former leadership team prior to their enforced exit from the company.
Subnautica 2 is currently projected to enter early access in 2026, with plans for release on PC and Xbox Series X|S platforms.