Former Putting Distance CEO, Steve Papoutsis, is becoming a member of Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds as CEO amid the shock announcement that the earlier management staff — Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — have been changed “efficient instantly.”
Unknown Worlds proprietor Krafton, which is behind PUBG, did not increase on why the management staff had been gutted, however stated whereas it “sought to maintain the Unknown Worlds’ co-founders and unique creators of the Subnautica collection concerned within the recreation’s improvement,” it “needs them effectively on their subsequent endeavors.”
Krafton insisted Papoutsis will “prioritize improvement momentum and delivering very best fan expertise” and “will carry renewed vitality and momentum.” It’s unclear what the change means for the launch window of the sport.
Cleveland and Mcguire based the 24-year-old firm, whereas Gill joined nearly seven years in the past as president earlier than his promotion to CEO in August 2024. On the time of writing, all nonetheless listing themselves as working at Unknown Worlds on LinkedIn, suggesting the change got here immediately and with little warning.
“There may be nothing extra essential than the gamer expertise. Given the anticipation round Subnautica 2, we owe our gamers nothing lower than the absolute best recreation, as quickly as potential,” stated CH Kim, Krafton’s CEO.
“We’re thrilled Steve is becoming a member of us in our shared dedication at Krafton and Unknown Worlds to ship Subnautica 2 as a extra full and satisfying entry within the collection — one that actually lives as much as participant expectations.”
Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in October 2021. On the time, it stated the Sabnautica studio would proceed to function as an impartial outfit.
The brand new installment within the Subnautica collection accommodates as much as 4 gamers, taking them to an all-new planet, full with new environments, flora, and fauna to find. We nonetheless do not know when it is coming, however you can dive in someday later in 2025 on PC and Xbox Sequence X and S, together with on Recreation Cross for top-tier subscribers.
We thought predecessor Subnautica was superb, awarding it a 9.1, writing: “Subnautica’s a survival recreation with focus and a very good sci-fi story, however its biggest achievement is its underwater horror.” The final recreation within the collection, Subnautica: Under Zero, equally scored a powerful 9 out of ten in its IGN overview.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and advisor with 15+ years expertise working with a number of the world’s greatest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.
