The journey toward Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2018 underwater survival sensation, has been mired in a contentious legal dispute involving a $250 million incentive package and a corporate power struggle. While fans have been eager for news since development was confirmed in 2022, the game’s path was blocked when publisher Krafton—which acquired developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment in 2021—ousted the studio’s executive leadership. Now, a court has intervened, ordering Krafton to reinstate the CEO it dismissed last summer.
On Monday, Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will of the Delaware Chancery Court ruled that Krafton must return Ted Gill to his position as CEO of Unknown Worlds Entertainment. The court found that Krafton breached its Earnout Payment Agreement (EPA) by terminating “Key Employees” without sufficient cause and “improperly seizing operational control” of the developer, according to a report by Kotaku. Crucially, the judge mandated that Krafton refrain from interfering with Gill’s authority regarding the early access debut of Subnautica 2.
The legal victory extends to co-founder Max McGuire and director Charlie Cleveland, who were also terminated during the purge. The judge ordered that the eligibility window for the $250 million bonus be extended until at least September 15, with the possibility of further extensions to ensure the team isn’t unfairly penalized for the recent internal turmoil.
This ruling follows sensational allegations that Krafton leadership utilized ChatGPT to brainstorm strategies for evading the massive payout, which was contingent on the studio meeting specific 2025 revenue milestones. By delaying the release of Subnautica 2 under the guise of “quality concerns,” Krafton would have effectively made those financial targets impossible to reach. However, Cleveland previously suggested on Reddit that the development team felt the game was already prepared for its early access premiere.
Krafton has expressed its dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. In a statement to Kotaku, the publisher noted that while they “respectfully disagree” with the ruling, they are currently evaluating further legal avenues. They emphasized that the ruling does not fully resolve the former executives’ claims for damages, suggesting that the litigation is far from over.
As the dust settles on this corporate battle, Subnautica 2 remains without a definitive early access release date. Whether the return of the studio’s original leadership will accelerate the game’s arrival remains to be seen.
Source: Polygon
