The dispute between Krafton and the co-founders of Unknown Worlds, creators of the acclaimed Subnautica franchise, has taken a significant turn following a court ruling that reinstates Ted Gill as CEO of Unknown Worlds. This controversy arose when Krafton sought to avoid paying a $250 million bonus intended for the studio, which depended on the commercial success of Subnautica 2.
Krafton loses the battle
The CEO of Krafton, Kim Chang-han, was questioned after it was revealed that he had consulted the artificial intelligence ChatGPT to find ways to evade this payment. Although Chang-han admitted to the interaction with the AI and reportedly tried to eliminate evidence of his consultation, the judge in the case determined that such actions did not justify the breach of contract.
The ruling also establishes that the tense relationship between Krafton and Gill could complicate the work environment, but it will not affect Gill’s authority in the game’s launch. According to the judge, Krafton must respect Gill’s control over the publication of Subnautica 2, and the deadline for the bonus payment has been extended to September 15, 2026.
Additionally, the judge indicated that the reinstatement of other executives from Unknown Worlds is not essential, trusting that Gill can handle the situation. However, he retains the power to reinstate them if he deems it necessary. As a result of this ruling, it is confirmed that Subnautica 2 will be released in early access in May, although the announcement of the exact date is still awaited, which represents a hopeful moment for fans of the series.