The serene, alien oceans of Subnautica are beloved by many, but the development of its successor, Subnautica 2, appears to be anything but tranquil. Instead, the upcoming title has found itself entangled in a dramatic, high-stakes legal battle between publisher Krafton and the very individuals who brought the original aquatic worlds to life: Unknown Worlds founders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and former CEO Ted Gill. What began as a dispute over a colossal $250 million performance bonus has now descended into a legal narrative featuring shifting accusations, baffling retractions, and a saga that could redefine publisher-developer relations.
A Quarter-Billion-Dollar Abyss
At the heart of the matter is the dismissal of the Unknown Worlds leadership team, who subsequently filed a lawsuit against Krafton. Their contention is straightforward: Krafton, the publisher, is allegedly attempting to sidestep a quarter-billion-dollar performance bonus that was due to them. Such a sum is significant, even in the high-stakes world of video game publishing, and its potential withholding has ignited a fiery legal and public dispute.
The Shifting Sands of Justification
Initially, Krafton presented a clear reason for the founders` dismissal. They asserted that Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill intended to rush Subnautica 2 into an early access release this year, purportedly to trigger and secure their substantial performance bonus, regardless of the game`s readiness. It was a grave accusation, painting a picture of leadership prioritizing personal gain over project integrity. However, this narrative took an unexpected dive during the trial`s discovery phase. When Fortis Advisors, the legal representatives for the founders, requested evidence to substantiate this claim, Krafton reportedly failed to produce any. The result? Krafton quietly withdrew this particular justification from its legal filing. This “seismic shift,” as Fortis Advisors characterized it, left many bewildered, not least the opposing legal team.
New Accusations and “Retroactive Justification”
With their initial bedrock argument seemingly eroded, Krafton pivoted to new justifications. The publisher now claims that the founders “shirked their responsibilities” regarding Subnautica 2`s completion. Furthermore, Krafton accuses them of downloading confidential files and retaining company devices that contained sensitive information. Peculiarly, this detail emerged only after the leadership team had already been removed. Krafton`s argument here takes an interesting turn: these alleged infractions, discovered post-termination, are now cited as “retroactive justification” for their dismissal. It’s an approach that certainly raises eyebrows in legal circles, suggesting a search for reasons after the fact.
Legal Maneuvers and Public Backlash
Fortis Advisors has not held back, asserting that Krafton has not been fully cooperative during the discovery process, allegedly ignoring requests for information and collaboration pertinent to the case. This lack of transparency, if true, could complicate proceedings significantly. The latest update confirms both sides have agreed to confer, a small step in what promises to be a protracted legal battle.
The fallout from this dispute hasn`t been confined to the courtroom. The “court of public opinion” has also weighed in, with significant implications for Subnautica 2. Reports of the $250 million bonus being withheld sparked a wave of fan outrage, leading to open calls for a boycott of the game. In a move that appears to be a direct response to this public pressure, Bloomberg reported that Krafton has extended the bonus period into next year. This extension aims to give the current Unknown Worlds team a better chance to meet financial benchmarks, potentially unlocking $25 million to be distributed among 40 employees. While this offers some relief to the current team, the remaining $225 million, originally earmarked for the ousted leadership, remains a central point of contention in the ongoing lawsuit.
The Uncharted Waters Ahead
As Subnautica 2 swims towards an anticipated early access launch in 2026 on PC and Xbox Series X|S, its journey is shadowed by this contentious legal saga. The case serves as a stark reminder of the intricate and often volatile dynamics between publishers and developers, especially when multi-million dollar incentives hang in the balance. Whether justice will prevail, or simply a costly settlement, remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the depths of this dispute are far from fully explored.
