Subnautica 2 maker Unknown Worlds was set for an enormous $250 million payout this yr if it hit sure income targets, Bloomberg reported yesterday. However a contemporary delay of probably the most wish-listed video games on Steam makes that nearly not possible. Writer Krafton, which modified the discharge schedule in opposition to the objections of the studio’s founders, now denies that it did so to keep away from paying the bonuses whereas additionally blaming them for the extremely anticipated underwater survival sim lacking its authentic goal launch date.
“This determination was primarily based solely on our dedication to high quality and to delivering the absolute best expertise for gamers,” the South Korea-based firm which additionally owns PUBG instructed IGN in an announcement responding to Bloomberg’s report. “It was not influenced by any contractual or monetary concerns. Moreover, the choice had already been beneath dialogue previous to latest management adjustments on the studio.”
Unknown Worlds cofounders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill have been fired final week, regardless of Krafton promising the studio independence when it was bought again in 2022. Cleveland later wrote on Reddit that the sport was able to launch in Early Entry later this yr as initially deliberate, calling the transfer from Krafton to switch the studio’s management a “shock.”
The writer now says that the choice to delay Subnautica 2 grew out of destructive suggestions from playtests. “We obtained useful suggestions from our group that bolstered our confidence within the recreation’s route,” it wrote in its new assertion. “On the identical time, the suggestions highlighted a couple of areas that might profit from additional refinement earlier than launch. As group voices play a central function in how we form our video games, we’ve made the choice to provide the event group extra time to implement that suggestions and ship a extra full expertise.”
Krafton was much less diplomatic in a brand new assertion printed on its web site Thursday afternoon which accused Cleveland and McGuire of refusing to return to their management roles on Subnautica 2 after the studio’s fantasy skirmish PVP recreation Moonbreaker struggled to seek out an viewers final yr. The writer blamed them for Subnautica 2’s failure to launch in 2024 as initially deliberate:
Particularly, along with the preliminary $500 million buy worth, we allotted roughly 90% of the as much as $250 million earn-out compensation to the three former executives, with the expectation that they might exhibit management and energetic involvement within the growth of Subnautica 2.
Nonetheless, regrettably, the previous management deserted the obligations entrusted to them. Subnautica 2 was initially deliberate for an Early Entry launch in early 2024, however the timeline has since been considerably delayed. Krafton made a number of requests to Charlie and Max to renew their roles as Recreation Director and Technical Director, respectively, however each declined to take action. Particularly, following the failure of Moonbreaker, Krafton requested Charlie to dedicate himself to the event of Subnautica 2. Nonetheless, as a substitute of taking part within the recreation growth, he selected to concentrate on a private movie mission.
Krafton believes that the absence of core management has resulted in repeated confusion in route and vital delays within the total mission schedule.The present Early Entry model additionally falls quick when it comes to content material quantity.
We’re deeply disenchanted by the previous management’s conduct, and above all, we really feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure to honor the belief positioned in them by our followers.
The assertion additionally stated Krafton was “dedicated to honest and equitable compensation for all remaining Unknown Worlds workers who’ve repeatedly and tirelessly contributed to Subnautica 2’s growth,” although a spokesperson for the corporate didn’t instantly make clear what these bonuses would seem like relative to the $250 million payout beforehand on the desk (the writer stated solely 10 % of the payout was initially for builders on the studio ground).
A developer replace posted on YouTube confirmed Subnautica 2 could be coming to Early Entry in 2025 again in April. It’s unclear what would have meaningfully modified in simply two months to guide Krafton to overrule the studio’s management and exchange them, which has now jeopardized fan enthusiasm for the sport within the course of. “Subnautica’s soul has simply been ripped out,” one fan lately wrote.
Subnautica gamers have began revolting on the sport’s subreddit. A thread calling on followers to not buy the sequel when it comes out already has over 43,000 upvotes. Others have known as for gamers to flood Krafton with an indignant write-in marketing campaign. The writer has even been in comparison with Alterra Corp., the fictional in-game firm identified for hogging assets and mistreating workers. The entire episode has additionally reignited followers’ fears about Subnautica 2 being plastered with microtransactions.
A monetary report from Krafton final yr claimed the sequel was being designed utilizing the “Video games as a Service” mannequin. “In reference to ‘Video games-as-a-Service,’ we merely plan to repeatedly replace the sport for a few years to come back, identical to the earlier two Subnautica video games,” the event group rushed to make clear on the time. “Assume our Early Entry replace mannequin, expanded. No season passes. No battle passes. No subscription.” Some gamers now fear, with the founders gone, which may not be the case, although an replace from the studio after the management change claimed nothing about these plans had modified.
Replace, 7/10/2025 3:26 p.m. ET: Added new assertion from Krafton and up to date headline.
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