Subnautica 2 Developer Unknown Worlds Switches to Self-Publishing

Unknown Worlds Entertainment has removed its parent company, Krafton, as the publisher of Subnautica 2 across digital storefronts. As of April 2026, the game’s listings on Steam and the Epic Games Store identify Unknown Worlds as both the developer and the primary publisher.

This shift in publishing status was instituted on April 7, 2026, though it only gained widespread attention on social media platforms like Reddit and Bluesky in the following days. While the change signals a move toward self-publishing for the survival sequel, Krafton continues to maintain ownership of the studio.

Legal Disputes and Executive Terminations

The removal of Krafton as publisher follows a highly publicized legal battle between the developer and its owner. The conflict began in the summer of 2025 when Krafton delayed the early access release of Subnautica 2 and terminated several members of the studio’s leadership team, including Max McGuire and Ted Gill.

McGuire and Gill filed a lawsuit against Krafton for wrongful termination. During the legal proceedings, evidence emerged regarding the financial incentives tied to the game’s development. It was reported that Krafton had utilized ChatGPT to seek advice on how to avoid paying a $250 million bonus to the Subnautica 2 development team, a payout that would have been triggered if the team reached specific internal release goals.

A judge eventually ruled in favor of Unknown Worlds, overturning the initial firing of Gill and his colleagues.

Conflicts Over the Early Access Launch

The legal resolution did not immediately end the friction between the two entities. Following the court’s decision, the judge ordered Krafton to reinstate Ted Gill as the CEO of Unknown Worlds and explicitly instructed Krafton not to obstruct Gill’s authority regarding the early access launch of Subnautica 2.

Shortly after this ruling, Krafton announced a release window for Subnautica 2 in May 2026. This announcement was made without the review or input of the reinstated CEO. In a communication to the judge, Gill argued that Krafton self-servingly announced the launch without any regard to its impact on the game, the team, or the community — let alone this Court’s Opinion.

The May 2026 release window has placed the studio’s leadership in a difficult position, as Gill must now manage launch advertising planning, publishing agreements, and other back-end logistics without having had the opportunity to review the studio’s work prior to the announcement.

Current Industry Standing

The transition to self-publishing represents a significant change in the road to market for Subnautica 2. By scrubbing Krafton from the storefronts, Unknown Worlds is positioning itself as the sole entity responsible for the game’s publication, even as it remains a subsidiary of the larger corporation.

The game is currently slated for a Steam Early Access release in May 2026, though the internal stability of the partnership between the developer and its owner remains strained by the ongoing fallout of the legal battle.