Subnautica 2 Saga Heats Up

The drama surrounding Subnautica 2 has intensified as former developers clash with publisher Krafton. Over the weekend, an internal document surfaced online, revealing a significant shrinkage in the game's scope during its development. Although the origin of the leak is still a mystery, Krafton hasn't hesitated to affirm its authenticity.

A Tumultuous Departure

For those unfamiliar with the events, Subnautica 2 is currently one of Steam's most anticipated titles. Recently, three key members from the development team, including co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max MacGuire, were ousted in a shake-up led by Krafton, sparking speculation and outrage. The abrupt dismissal of the trio happened just as Cleveland argued for an early access release, a stance Krafton flatly rejected.

A Financial Wild Card

In the midst of this turmoil, a Bloomberg report highlighted a shocking $250 million payout that employees at Unknown Worlds could receive if the game performs well by 2025. However, Krafton's announcement to delay the game until 2026 has thrown a wrench in those plans, making it nearly impossible for the earnout to be met.

New Revelations from a Leaked Document

This weekend, the situation became even more complex. Two slides from a presentation surfaced on Reddit, reportedly outlining how the game's feature set had been trimmed over the past two years. Notably, these visuals suggested that the game failed to meet the necessary polish for release.

"Compared to the originally planned EA launch specifications," one slide asserts, "the current target content volume has been reduced... It is necessary to reassess the release timeline and roadmap." While it's common for games to undergo such adjustments, Krafton and the dismissed developers have fundamentally disagreed on this point.

Krafton's Unusually Open Response

Krafton's response to media inquiries was strikingly candid: they confirmed the authenticity of the leaked document, emphasizing the need for transparency. "Given these circumstances, KRAFTON believes that minimizing speculation is necessary," their statement read, adding that internal milestone reviews are routinely conducted.

A Game of Speculation

However, despite Krafton's push for transparency, a veil of mystery shrouds the document. Its author and intended audience remain unidentified, and no timestamps indicate when it was written. The very act of confirming the leak raises questions about whether Krafton might have orchestrated it to bolster their narrative.

The Legal Showdown Ahead

As for the fired developers, they have shifted gears into a legal battle, preparing to take on Krafton. Cleveland's words underscore the gravity of the situation: "Suing a multi-billion dollar company was not on my bucket list, but this needs to be made right." The stakes couldn't be higher, with a massive payout hanging in the balance.

What Lies Ahead?

The authenticity of the slides appears to be Krafton's latest maneuver in a complex chess game against their former leads. It's unclear if this will intimidate them into dropping the lawsuit. One thing is for sure: the Subnautica saga is far from over, and every twist adds more fuel to the fire.