The highly anticipated game, Subnautica 2, has found itself embroiled in a dramatic legal dispute this summer. Publisher Krafton and the former leadership of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the game, are locked in a bitter fight. Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill were all forced out of the studio and subsequently filed a lawsuit against Krafton. Their core claim is that Krafton is deliberately attempting to avoid paying them a staggering $250 million performance bonus. Adding a new layer of complexity to the saga, Krafton has now altered its legal reasoning for their dismissal.
Previously, as reported by PC Gamer, Krafton had alleged that the founders intended to rush Subnautica 2 into early access this year, solely to secure their lucrative performance bonus, even if the game wasn’t ready. However, when challenged by Fortis Advisors, the founders’ legal representation, to provide evidence during the discovery phase of the trial, Krafton failed to do so. Consequently, Krafton has officially retracted this specific claim from its legal filings, stating it is no longer a basis for the founders’ termination. Fortis Advisors described this development as a ‘seismic shift in the case’ and openly expressed their bewilderment at the sudden change.
Despite this significant backtrack, Krafton continues to assert that the former leaders neglected their duties in overseeing Subnautica 2’s completion. They also accuse the founders of downloading confidential files and retaining devices containing sensitive information. While these accusations surfaced only after the leadership team had been removed, Krafton argues that these actions retroactively validate their termination.
Fortis, on the other hand, claims that Krafton has not been cooperating fully during the discovery process, reportedly ignoring requests to discuss or share crucial case information. The latest update indicates that both parties have agreed to confer, suggesting a potential move towards resolution, or at least a temporary ceasefire in the public sparring.
This lawsuit is expected to drag on in court for years, but the court of public opinion has already made its stance clear. Following widespread calls from fans for a boycott of Subnautica 2 due to the reports of the withheld $250 million bonus, Bloomberg revealed a new development. Krafton has since extended the bonus eligibility period into next year, aiming to give the current Unknown Worlds team a better opportunity to meet financial targets and earn a $25 million share among 40 employees. It’s worth noting that the substantial remaining $225 million of that original bonus was slated for the former leadership team before their controversial exits.
Subnautica 2 is currently slated for an early access release in 2026 on PC and Xbox Series X|S.