Subnautica 2 Faces Major Setbacks

If there's one word to describe the current state of Subnautica 2, it's chaos. While the game itself is far from a disaster, the corporate conflict between its developer, Unknown Worlds, and parent company Krafton has escalated dramatically. Recent events have seen Krafton firing the studio’s founders, delaying the game's release until 2026, and a lawsuit being filed by the ousted leaders. The crux of this turmoil revolves around a potential $250 million bonus.

The Origins of Unknown Worlds

Founded in 2001 by Charlie Cleveland, Unknown Worlds gained fame through popular Half-Life mods before pivoting to create the underwater survival game Subnautica, which hit early access in 2014. With substantial community engagement, the game launched in full in 2018, rapidly building a massive fan base. Following its success, the studio was acquired by Krafton for $500 million in 2021 with an enticing performance-based bonus structure.

Acquisition and Fallout

Under their new ownership, Unknown Worlds worked on multiple projects, including a turn-based strategy game, Moonbreaker. However, the focus shifted back to Subnautica 2, which was announced in October 2024. By July 2025, cracks in the relationship began to show when Krafton unexpectedly fired the studio's founding trio.

The Lawsuit and Allegations

The situation took a turn for the worse as the founders filed a lawsuit against Krafton, claiming wrongful termination and accusing the company of sabotaging their efforts to hit performance goals. The suit questions Krafton's motives for delaying the game, suggesting it was done to circumvent bonus payouts.

What’s Next for Subnautica 2?

With an official delay now in place and leadership changes looming over Unknown Worlds, the future of Subnautica 2 hangs in the balance. Both sides are publicly committed to the game's development, but with so much at stake—both financially and creatively—the path forward remains uncertain. The court will ultimately navigate through the disputes, and fans can only hope that clarity and creativity prevail for the beloved franchise.

Community Impact and Expectations

Gamers are left anxiously waiting for updates, as the second-most wishlisted game on Steam. As the legal battle unfolds, the Subnautica community holds its breath, hoping for a resolution that will allow the new leadership to focus on delivering a game worthy of the franchise's legacy. Will the legal drama lead to a brighter horizon or drown the project in uncertainty?