Krafton, the publisher behind Subnautica 2, has responded to the concerns and claims circulating regarding the state of the game, recent leadership changes at its developer Unknown Worlds, and the reported $250 million payout planned for developers later this year.
In a scathing email sent to Insider Gaming, Krafton says that the former leadership—Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill—at the studio “abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them, leading to their dismissal.
“Subnautica 2 was originally planned for an Early Access launch in early 2024, but the timeline has since been significantly delayed,” the Korean-based publisher said. “KRAFTON made multiple requests to Charlie and Max to resume their roles as Game Director and Technical Director, respectively, but both declined to do so.
“In particular, following the failure of Moonbreaker, KRAFTON asked Charlie to devote himself to the development of Subnautica 2. However, instead of participating in the game development, he chose to focus on a personal film project.”
The statement continued that Krafton believes that “the absence of core leadership has resulted in repeated confusion in direction and significant delays in the overall project schedule.”
Regarding the reported $250 million payout, Krafton says that they had dedicated 90% of the earn-out to three former executives. That payout was set “with the expectation that they would demonstrate leadership and active involvement in the development of Subnautica 2.”
What About Subnautica 2’s Future?
Despite the changes at the top of the company, Krafton says it’s dedicated to creating the best game it can for its players. That means making the decision to delay Subnautica 2’s early access into 2026.
“Subnautica 2 has been and continues to be actively developed by a dedicated core team who share genuine passion, accountability, and commitment to the game,” they said. “We deeply respect their expertise and creativity and will continue to provide full and unwavering support, enabling them to focus solely on delivering the exceptional game you deserve.”
Krafton adds that it is “committed” to fairly compensating all of the employees who are still at Unknown Worlds “who have continuously and tirelessly contributed to Subnautica 2’s development.”
“We believe that the dedication and effort of this team are at the very heart of Subnautica’s ongoing evolution, and we reaffirm our commitment to provide the rewards they were promised,” the said.
What do you think of the latest surrounding Subnautica 2’s development and delay, and the messaging from Krafton? Let us know down below, and join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming forums.
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Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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