The unveiling of a new Subnautica 2 trailer didn`t spark the expected excitement. Instead, it ignited a firestorm among fans, leading to calls for a boycott. The focus quickly shifted from anticipation for deep-sea exploration to a bitter corporate saga involving delayed releases, substantial financial incentives, and the abrupt departure of the studio`s founding leadership.
At the heart of the turmoil is a reported $250 million bonus pool for the Unknown Worlds team, contingent on the studio meeting financial targets in 2025. Many observers believe these targets were linked to an early access release of Subnautica 2 sometime this year. The recent announcement pushing the release window to 2026, therefore, fueled speculation that this delay is a calculated move by publisher Krafton to avoid paying out that significant bonus to the development staff. A powerful sentiment emerged online: this delay is perceived by some as a maneuver to deny developers their promised reward.
Krafton, the parent company, did not remain silent. They issued a striking public statement, characterizing the leadership changes as “inevitable” and directly attributing them to “project abandonment.” Specifically, Krafton claimed that three former executives, who were allocated 90% of the potential $250 million bonus based on expectations of their active involvement in Subnautica 2`s development, failed to uphold their responsibilities. Krafton explicitly accused former Game Director Charlie Cleveland and Technical Director Max McGuire of declining requests to resume their core roles.
Adding a peculiar detail, Krafton stated that Cleveland, instead of focusing on the game`s development following a previous project`s failure, chose to concentrate on a “personal film project.” According to the publisher, this absence of key leadership resulted in “repeated confusion in direction and significant delays,” asserting that the unreleased early access version was lacking in “content volume.” Krafton expressed deep disappointment and a “profound sense of betrayal” by the former leadership`s conduct and failure to honor the trust placed in them by fans.
Charlie Cleveland, one of the ousted founders, quickly offered a contrasting perspective. He maintained that the game was indeed ready for an early access release, aligning with Unknown Worlds` historical development approach. However, he clarified that the decision regarding the release timeline now rests entirely with Krafton. Addressing the grave accusations of abandonment, Cleveland stated unequivocally that Subnautica has been his “life`s work” and that he would “never willingly abandon it or the amazing team.”
He also pushed back against the notion that the former leadership intended to keep the bonus entirely for themselves, emphasizing their history of sharing profits with the team and their commitment to doing so with this potential earnout. To underline the seriousness of the dispute, Cleveland confirmed that he has filed a lawsuit against Krafton, indicating that more details would eventually surface publicly.
This public back-and-forth reveals a significant rift between the creative studio, known for its unique survival games, and its larger corporate owner. The situation leaves fans concerned about the future of Subnautica 2, caught in the crossfire of this high-stakes financial and managerial conflict. While Krafton has stated a commitment to fairly compensating the current development team, the specifics remain vague, and the legal battle initiated by the former leadership adds another layer of complexity.
