Subnautica 2 Devs Lost Interest – Krafton Claims
Krafton Accuses Former subnautica 2 Developers of Abandoning Project for Personal Pursuits
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Krafton, the South Korean publisher behind PUBG: battlegrounds, is fiercely defending itself against a lawsuit filed by former executives of Subnautica 2 studio unkown Worlds.The lawsuit alleges Krafton deliberately undermined the game’s release to avoid paying substantial earnout bonuses. Krafton’s response paints a dramatically different picture, claiming the developers lost interest in Subnautica 2 after a lucrative acquisition and shifted focus to personal projects.
The Core of the Dispute: $750 Million and Shifting Priorities
In 2023, Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds for a reported $500 million, with the potential for an additional $250 million in earnout bonuses tied to the success of Subnautica 2. The lawsuit, brought by Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire, claims Krafton intentionally stalled the game’s advancement to prevent the bonus payments from being triggered.
However, Krafton’s legal filing, available on Scribd, directly challenges this narrative. The publisher alleges that after the acquisition, Cleveland and McGuire – key creative leads – “checked out” of Subnautica 2 development, prioritizing personal endeavors over the highly anticipated sequel.
From Underwater Exploration to Film and “Outside Activities”
According to Krafton’s account, the shift in focus began in 2024 and 2025.Cleveland reportedly informed colleagues he was “no longer working on games but […] working on a couple of films.” McGuire, meanwhile, allegedly began dedicating his time to “initiatives that fall outside of [the company’s] main development activities.”
Gill, who remained involved, is accused of focusing on maximizing the earnout payment rather than prioritizing the game’s development. Krafton suggests this pursuit of financial gain came at the expense of Subnautica 2‘s progress.
Development Struggles and a Delayed Launch
Krafton argues that the absence of Cleveland and McGuire’s leadership substantially hampered Subnautica 2‘s development. This ultimately led to the necessary delay of the game’s planned early access launch. The publisher’s filing highlights internal concerns about the game’s scope and readiness.A development lead at Unknown Worlds reportedly noted in March 2025 – just two months before the intended early access release – that the first and second planned early access releases would only represent “about 12% of our intended 1.0 scope.” the lead jokingly estimated that, at that rate, full development would take “30 years.” This internal assessment, included in Krafton’s response, underscores the important challenges facing the project.
What’s Next for Subnautica 2?
The legal battle is ongoing, and the future of Subnautica 2 remains uncertain.Krafton’s defense hinges on demonstrating that the game’s delays were a result of the former executives’ diminished commitment, not deliberate sabotage. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of the Subnautica franchise and the relationship between developers and publishers in the gaming industry.Fans of the original Subnautica are eagerly awaiting updates, hoping for a resolution that allows the sequel to reach its full potential.