The release date for the continuation of the underwater survival saga, Subnautica 2, created by Unknown Worlds, has finally been revealed. This game, which is under development by Krafton, will be available in early access starting May 14 on Xbox Series, Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. It has taken some time, but here it is. As part of this announcement, a new cinematic trailer has been released that offers a fascinating glimpse into the underwater world that players will explore. The sequel promises intense survival experiences, pitting players against fearsome creatures […]
Finally, the release date for the continuation of the underwater survival saga, Subnautica 2, created by Unknown Worlds, has been revealed. This game, which is under development by Krafton, will be available in early access starting May 14 on Xbox Series, Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store.
It has been difficult, but here it is
As part of this announcement, a new cinematic trailer has been released that offers a fascinating glimpse into the underwater world that players will explore. The sequel promises intense survival experiences, pitting players against fearsome alien creatures in a cavernous and often terrifying environment. The fundamental premise of the game remains the same as the previous title: survive while uncovering the secrets of a hostile aquatic world.
Subnautica 2 will offer players the option to choose from four pre-designed characters, in addition to the ability to modify them with various features, allowing for a customization that will enrich the gaming experience. The cooperative multiplayer mode will also be a fundamental part of the adventure, enabling friends to join forces to explore forgotten ruins and gather crucial information about the submerged planet on which the game is set.
The arrival of the game on the mentioned platforms is just the beginning; it is expected that the content will evolve and improve over time thanks to the early access model. In addition, Unknown Worlds has a deadline until September 15 to reach a specific number of sales that could mean a payment of 250 million euros, a goal that Krafton has been trying to avoid, thus creating a high-expectation environment around the title.
All games are a miracle. The development of a video game is a very long process that involves a lot of people who need to row in the same direction and it is difficult for it to go well. But some are more miraculous than others. Because for every project that goes out without any notable incidents that warrant being made public, there is at least another that never even sees the light of day. And then there is the case of Subnautica 2. A rare bird where, after signing a tremendous success, it seemed that everything was going well, until news started to come out without […]
All games are a miracle. The development of a video game is a very long process that involves many people who need to row in the same direction, and it is difficult for it to go well. But some are more miraculous than others. Because for every project that comes out without any notable incidents that warrant public attention, there is at least one other that never even sees the light of day.
And then there is the case of Subnautica 2. A rare bird where, after signing a tremendous success, it seemed that everything was going well, until endless news started to emerge about the disaster of its development. Followed by lawsuits, negligent uses of AI, and truly surreal stories about its development. All while it is discovered that it is the game on the most wishlists on Steam, making it a serious candidate to hold its own even against GTA6. But what is its story? That’s what we are going to talk about today.
A little context
To understand everything else, we first need to understand where the first Subnautica comes from. An adventure and survival game with action elements where we embody the only survivor of a space expedition on an entirely oceanic alien planet. With no way to escape from there, we will have to do the only thing we can do: catalog the flora and fauna of the place, find resources to survive, and look for a way to escape the planet by diving through its vast oceans.
Inspired by Minecraft, but with a strong emphasis on the underwater aspect, the game was a modest critical success. Released in January 2018, it seemed like it was going to be a title that wouldn’t go unnoticed, winning the award for best PC game of the year at the Golden Joystick Awards, but it also wouldn’t be revolutionary. But players thought otherwise. Selling over 5 million copies in less than two years.
With these excellent numbers, they decided to release an early access sequel in January 2019, Subnautica: Below Zero. And although the critics did not respond enthusiastically, seeing it as excessively continuist, the game has ended up finding its audience. Today considered a spinoff, it would lead to a true sequel, Subnautica 2. In addition to the initial problems of its studio, Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
Huge Problems
In October 2021, Krafton, the Korean multinational, acquires Unknown Worlds Entertainment after the success of Subnautica. For a few years, there is hardly any new or relevant information. Subnautica: Below Zero leaves early access on May 14, 2021, but for a while, they continue to not announce their next project. Until on April 7, 2022, they confirm from Unknown Worlds Entertainment that they are working on “the new game in the Subnautica universe”.
The information will not be fluid or constant from this point on. The next thing we will know will be in November 2023, when Krafton, at its shareholders’ meeting, states that its intention is to launch the game sometime in 2025. On February 8, 2024, during another shareholders’ meeting, they reveal more details, stating that it will be a multiplayer game as a service, which causes Subnautica fans to strongly oppose the project. In response, the studio claims that “there will be no season passes, battle passes, or subscriptions.”
But problems arose in 2025. In July of that year, Krafton announced that the founders of Unknown Worlds, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, and the company’s CEO, Ted Gill, had left the company and were replaced by Steve Papoutsis, CEO of Striking Distance Studios. Moving the game’s release to 2026, they did not provide further explanations about what was behind that moment. Until a journalist decided to investigate.
Jason Schreier, an investigative journalist specializing in the video game industry, discovered that they did not leave, but were fired. What was the reason? If Subnautica 2 reached early access status on time, during the year 2025, Krafton would have to pay Unknown Worlds a bonus of 250 million dollars. According to Cleveland and McGuire, the game was ready to be launched in early access throughout the year. That’s why they were fired. To avoid having to pay the bonus.
Of Trials and AIs
All of this led to Cleveland and McGuire suing Krafton. This is when everything behind the scenes started to come to light. Krafton’s legal defense was that the game did not have enough material to “drive the growth and expansion of the IP,” needing to create 30% more content. And they made this known to Unknown Worlds. The problem, in Krafton’s eyes, is that Cleveland and McGuire were only focused on the $250 million bonus, offering an unpolished product, which led Krafton to decide to delay its release, saving them $250 million, “to protect the interests of the game’s fans.” This was something Unknown Worlds refused, which led Krafton to replace its founders and its CEO.
This could have been upheld in a trial were it not for an important detail. There were 250 million at stake. And the CEO of Krafton himself stated in writing that he wanted to do whatever it took to avoid paying them.
In one of the most surreal twists in the recent history of the video game industry, the trial revealed all the conversations about Chang-han Kim’s attempt, the CEO of Krafton, to avoid paying those 250 million. First, he consulted his lawyers who told him the obvious: there is no legal way to avoid paying them. They have a contract. It is binding. If they comply, he must pay. But since the answer was not satisfactory to him, he did what all executives in the world currently do when they want to hear the answer they want: he consulted ChatGPT. And ChatGPT, after insisting that there had to be a way to avoid paying them, told him that he could always replace them. And that’s what he did.
With the records being read in court, that was enough for Krafton to lose the lawsuit. It was demonstrated beyond any doubt that they had made a business decision not to fulfill a legal contract, the judge in the case, in March 2026, reinstated Cleveland and McGuire at the studio and Gill as CEO of Unknown Worlds and gave him control over the early access launch, extending the date associated with the bonus until September 2026.
After all this, on April 7 of this year, Krafton has completely distanced itself from the project. Unknown Worlds is the distributor and publisher of the game. Does that mean they won’t have to pay the 250 million anymore, in exchange for granting them the studio’s freedom? It seems most likely, but we still don’t know for sure. What does seem certain is that Subnautica 2 will be released in early access this year. And it has everything to be a hit. Because it certainly hasn’t lacked publicity.
The launch of Subnautica 2, scheduled for May of this year in early access, has been embroiled in a significant conflict between Unknown Worlds and its former publisher Krafton. Recently, a substantial change was observed in the Steam product page, where Krafton is no longer listed as the publisher of the game. Instead, it is Unknown Worlds that is now responsible for both development and distribution, a move that seems to have been deliberate and not an administrative error. The situation is becoming increasingly complicated. Discontent between the two companies intensified following the layoffs of the […]
The launch of Subnautica 2, scheduled for May of this year in early access, has been embroiled in a significant conflict between Unknown Worlds and its former publisher Krafton. Recently, a substantial change was observed in the Steam product page, where Krafton is no longer listed as the publisher of the game. Instead, it is Unknown Worlds who is now in charge of both development and distribution, a move that appears to have been deliberate and not an administrative error.
The situation is getting more complicated every day
Discontent between both companies intensified after the layoffs of the co-founders of Unknown Worlds, as well as Krafton’s refusal to pay a $250 million bonus that depended on the sales of the sequel. These tensions led to a back-and-forth that resulted in a lawsuit. As a result, a judge ordered the reinstatement of Ted Gill, CEO of Unknown Worlds, with full control over the launch of Subnautica 2.
Despite legal advancements, the situation seems far from resolved. No clear details have been provided regarding the reasons behind this conflict, which has generated speculation and discomfort within the industry. This uncertainty fuels rumors that the issues between Unknown Worlds and Krafton may continue to surface as the game’s release date approaches.
The gaming community is closely watching this development, as Subnautica 2 is one of the most anticipated titles of the year. With the saga’s story and the impact its release may have on the survival genre, it is expected that the events surrounding this conflict will continue to make headlines and news until and beyond the scheduled release date.
The development of Subnautica 2 has become a hot topic in the video game industry, caught in a legal dispute between Krafton, the South Korean parent company, and three former executives of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the successful original title. As this conflict intensifies, a judge has ruled that Krafton breached agreements by unjustly firing these executives in an apparent attempt to avoid paying a $250 million bonus. ChatGPT was wrong According to the legal ruling published on March 16, the former CEO of Unknown Worlds, Ted Gill, […]
The development of Subnautica 2 has become a hot topic in the video game industry, caught in a legal dispute between Krafton, the South Korean parent company, and three former executives of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the successful original title. As this conflict intensifies, a judge has ruled that Krafton breached agreements by unjustly firing these executives in an apparent attempt to avoid paying a $250 million bonus.
ChatGPT made a mistake
According to the legal resolution published on March 16, the former CEO of Unknown Worlds, Ted Gill, has regained his position and operational control over the project, allowing him to manage the early access of Subnautica 2. This is crucial, as the game still does not have a defined release date. Early access was expected to begin in 2026, but the effects of the dispute on this timeline remain uncertain for players.
The judge supported the accusations that Krafton acted improperly by dismissing these key employees, which could result in compensation if the game’s management leads to a drastic decrease in revenue. This outcome is significant, especially considering that internal forecasts indicated that Subnautica 2 could generate considerable revenue, which fueled Krafton’s fear of facing the corresponding bonus payment.
In a surprising turn, it was reported that the CEO of Krafton had consulted with an artificial intelligence chatbot about strategies to gain control of Unknown Worlds, adding a layer of intrigue to the case. Although no official statement has been issued regarding the current situation of the game, the community remains alert for any news that may arise in the coming days.
In the realm of video games, Subnautica 2 has been at the center of controversy. Delays in its development have been attributed to tensions between the developer Unknown Worlds and the publisher Krafton, which has triggered a lawsuit between both parties. This dispute has overshadowed discussions about the game itself, but the development team has shared details about its future multiplayer features. You can play with friends, but also solo. Anthony Gallegos, the design lead, emphasized that Subnautica 2 will continue to offer an individual experience, true to the style of the original. However, modes have been added […]
In the realm of video games, Subnautica 2 has been at the center of controversy. Delays in its development have been attributed to tensions between the developer Unknown Worlds and the publisher Krafton, which has triggered a lawsuit between both parties. This dispute has overshadowed discussions about the game itself, but the development team has shared details about its future multiplayer features.
You can play with friends, but also alone
Anthony Gallegos, design lead, emphasized that Subnautica 2 will continue to offer an individual experience, true to the style of the original. However, multiplayer modes have been added, a highly requested aspect by the community. It is important to note that playing in cooperative mode will not be required to enjoy the title; the solo experience will remain fully satisfying for those who prefer to explore alone.
The multiplayer system will allow players to invite friends to join their solo games or start new multiplayer games, and it will feature cross-platform support. Gallegos assures that no part of the game will require cooperative play, allowing players to enjoy the isolation they appreciated so much in the first title.
With Subnautica 2 scheduled for release, fans hope that the new installment strikes a proper balance between the individual experience and cooperation, ensuring that all players find their preferred mode of play. Rumors suggest that the release could be closer than expected, generating even more anticipation in the community.
The legal conflict between Krafton and the former executives of the studio Unknown Worlds, responsible for the development of Subnautica 2, has escalated in recent weeks, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the future of the anticipated title. Since July, both parties have filed legal actions, and the accusations have ranged from wrongful termination to mismanagement of the project. A CEO replaceable by a machine The former executives, including Subnautica designer and director Charlie Cleveland, CEO Ted Gill, and co-founder Max McGuire, allege that Krafton is trying to avoid paying bonuses stipulated in the acquisition contract of the […]
The legal conflict between Krafton and the former executives of the studio Unknown Worlds, responsible for the development of Subnautica 2, has escalated in recent weeks, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the future of the highly anticipated title. Since July, both parties have filed legal actions, and the accusations have ranged from wrongful termination to mismanagement of the project.
A CEO Replaceable by a Machine
The former executives, including Subnautica designer and director Charlie Cleveland, CEO Ted Gill, and co-founder Max McGuire, allege that Krafton is trying to avoid paying bonuses stipulated in the studio’s acquisition contract. In a document filed by their lawyers, it is stated that Krafton’s CEO, Changham Kim, was “desperate” not to have to make these payments, fearing it would cause him “professional embarrassment” by appearing to have overpaid for the studio.
The case becomes even more complicated with the revelation that Krafton allegedly consulted with artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, in an attempt to find ways to evade payments. According to the court document, even the AI suggested that it would be complicated to avoid the earnout payment. However, Krafton dismisses these claims and accuses former executives of having destroyed relevant evidence.
The dispute between the parties has led to a significant delay in the launch of Subnautica 2, which is now scheduled to enter early access in 2026. Krafton, in an attempt to manage the situation, has implemented “Project X,” which seeks to negotiate with the founders or take control of the studio.
This situation raises questions about Krafton’s business ethics, especially considering its recent self-designation as an “AI company”. Meanwhile, the future of the anticipated game remains uncertain.
Krafton has filed a lawsuit against the former leaders of Unknown Worlds, Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire, accusing them of attempting to launch an incomplete version of Subnautica 2 to secure a multimillion-dollar payment of 250 million dollars. This move comes amid a growing conflict over the game’s development, which was originally scheduled to be released in Early Access in the first quarter of 2024. A good reason to launch a game that lacks adjustments In the counterclaim, Krafton argues that the lack of material for an early release was the cause of the delay and […]
Krafton has filed a lawsuit against former leaders of Unknown Worlds, Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire, accusing them of attempting to launch an incomplete version of Subnautica 2 to secure a multimillion-dollar payment of 250 million dollars. This move comes amid a growing conflict over the game’s development, which was originally scheduled to be released in Early Access in the first quarter of 2024.
A good reason to launch a game that needs adjustments
In the counterclaim, Krafton argues that the lack of material for an early release was the cause of the delay and asserts that Cleveland and McGuire abandoned their responsibilities to focus on personal projects, negatively affecting the game’s development. Krafton alleges that Gill was more interested in getting paid than in the project’s success, which caused significant disorganization.
The new CEO of Unknown Worlds, Steve Papoutsis, has stated that the leadership restructuring aims for a commitment to players and a robust creative process, emphasizing that the priority is to ensure that the game meets expectations at the time of its launch. In contrast, Krafton argues that the former leaders showed an excessive focus on their payments, which led to a series of decisions that compromise the quality of the game.
The CEO of Krafton has stated that Cleveland, Gill, and McGuire’s focus was on securing their compensation rather than developing a title that honored the success of its predecessor. With 500 million dollars invested in the acquisition of Unknown Worlds, the company argues that the actions of the former leaders not only threatened the future of Subnautica 2, but also of future installments of the franchise.
The conflict continues to evolve, and there may be much more drama ahead in this legal battle between Krafton and its former employees.
Anthony Gallegos, designer of Subnautica 2, has used an unusual metaphor to describe the human connection with survival games, suggesting that “we are all little monkeys.” During a recent interview with Edge magazine, Gallegos explained that this idea resonates with the human nature of seeking shelter and food, essential attributes in survival games that attract a wide audience. The title Subnautica 2, which is expected to launch in Early Access in 2026, has faced recent turbulence following the sudden firing of several of its creators, which has triggered a call for a boycott by […]
Anthony Gallegos, designer of Subnautica 2, has used an unusual metaphor to describe the human connection with survival games, suggesting that “we are all little monkeys.” During a recent interview with Edge magazine, Gallegos explained that this idea resonates with the human nature of seeking shelter and food, essential attributes in survival games that attract a wide audience. The title Subnautica 2, which is expected to launch in Early Access in 2026, has faced recent turmoil following the sudden firing of several of its creators, which has triggered a call for a boycott from some fans.
We are all little monkeys
Gallegos also shared an anecdote that underscores the accessibility of survival games. He recalled a moment when he observed a child playing Astroneer without any prior guidance. To his surprise, the child managed to build a complex base, which led him to conclude that the mechanics of these games are simple enough to attract both children and adults.
In a remarkable turn in the video game development landscape, Krafton has acquired Last Epoch, a popular action role-playing game. The game’s development leader, referring to the recent controversy surrounding Subnautica 2, expressed confidence that the communication challenges affecting their project will not be repeated. “There is a lot of misinformation,” he commented, suggesting that the situation may have been misinterpreted by the public.
As Subnautica 2 fans await more news about the game, the video game industry closely watches how this multi-layered story unfolds, marked by creativity, challenges, and uncertainty about the future of the series.
Subnautica 2, one of the most anticipated titles on gaming platforms, is caught in a whirlwind of controversies following the announcement of a delay in its early access until 2026, restructuring within the development team at Unknown Worlds, and a lawsuit against Krafton, the parent company. This drama has captured the attention of the community, which has expressed itself with attempts to boycott and growing concern about the direction of the game. Many things to explain Recently, a leak from an internal document of Krafton has revealed the expectations that the company has regarding quality […]
Subnautica 2, one of the most anticipated titles on gaming platforms, is caught in a whirlwind of controversies following the announcement of a delay in its early access until 2026, restructuring within the development team at Unknown Worlds, and a lawsuit against Krafton, the parent company. This drama has captured the attention of the community, which has expressed itself with attempts to boycott and growing concern about the direction of the game.
Many things to explain
Recently, a leak from an internal document of Krafton has revealed the company’s expectations regarding the quality and content of Subnautica 2. According to the leak, which originated from a presentation in May 2025, Krafton has urged Unknown Worlds to enrich the game’s content to align with the demands of a broader and more competitive market. It was detailed that the anticipated version should include new creatures, gameplay mechanics, and a playtime of 16 hours in normal mode, extending to 30 hours in sandbox mode.
However, the document also notes that significant cuts have been made to the original game plan, such as the removal of two biomes and several customization elements. This discordance between Krafton’s vision and that of the original creators became evident after the South Korean developer’s decision to part ways with key figures of the team like Ted Gill and Charlie Cleveland, who expressed their astonishment at seeing how the project diverged from their initial ideas.
Krafton has stated that the leak is part of a normal internal review process, aimed at assessing progress and ensuring that projects meet their quality standards. Amid this uncertainty, the community remains anxious and expectant, highlighting the intense pressure to make Subnautica 2 a resounding success at the time of its launch.
The controversy behind the development of Subnautica 2 has recently escalated, becoming one of the most intriguing stories of the month in the gaming world. This is due to the criticisms launched by Krafton against the former leaders of Unknown Worlds, which has led co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, as well as former CEO Ted Gill, to file a lawsuit against the company. Cleveland announced this legal action through Reddit, emphasizing that he has no intention of abandoning the development of Subnautica 2, a project he considers his life’s work. A lawsuit with a […]
The controversy behind the development of Subnautica 2 has recently escalated, becoming one of the most intriguing stories of the month in the gaming world. This is due to the criticisms launched by Krafton against the former leaders of Unknown Worlds, which has led co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, as well as former CEO Ted Gill, to file a lawsuit against the company. Cleveland announced this legal action via Reddit, emphasizing that he has no intention of abandoning the development of Subnautica 2, a project he considers his life’s work.
A lawsuit with a million-dollar context
The lawsuit arises in a complicated context, as Krafton had planned a bonus of 250 million dollars for Unknown Worlds, contingent on certain financial results expected to be achieved in 2025. This bonus could be seriously affected by the delay in the release of Subnautica 2, scheduled for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Cleveland has responded to Krafton’s accusations, which claimed that he and his team had abandoned their responsibilities during the game’s development.
In his response, Cleveland stated: “The idea that Max, Ted, and I wanted to keep the bonus for ourselves is completely inaccurate. I am in this industry because I love it, not for the riches.” He also reiterated his commitment to sharing the profits with the team, as they have done in the past, demonstrating that the intention to fulfill the corresponding bonus remains.
Meanwhile, Krafton has been the target of criticism, as its announcement of the game’s delay was met with numerous negative comments and calls to boycott the launch. The situation raises questions about the future of Subnautica 2 and the internal dynamics of Unknown Worlds, leading many to speculate about the long-term repercussions in the industry.
