It has been an uneventful time at Unknown Worlds lately, the studio behind the development of Subnautica 2. What started with the removal of the studio’s former leadership, founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, as well as former CEO Ted Gill, by the parent company and game’s publisher, Krafton, has spiralled into a lawsuit.
Hours after a spokesperson from Krafton blamed the former management for Subnautica 2 failing to meet its planned early access launch, Cleveland released a statement calling the development “an explosive and surreal time,” maintaining the game was ready for early access.
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“As I wrote last week, we know in our souls that the game is ready for Early Access – that’s just how we roll. And we’d like nothing more than for you to play it (game devs live for this). But it’s not currently under our control.”
Cleveland revealed the axed executives are now suing Krafton, a decision he said was “certainly not on my bucket list”. According to reports, Krafton was supposed to pay Unknown Worlds a $250 million bonus if the game met internal predetermined goals, including hitting the scheduled early access launch. However, with the game now delayed to 2026, Krafton is not mandated to pay the bonus.
The new twist in the Subnautica 2 studio disagreement
In a statement to Insider Gaming, a Krafton spokesperson accused the former studio leadership of abandoning their roles in pursuit of personal projects.
Addressing the claim from a Krafton spokesperson that the former studio heads abandoned their duty, Cleveland said, “Subnautica has been my life’s work and I would never willingly abandon it or the amazing team that has poured their hearts into it”.
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While Krafton and the former studio heads differed on the readiness of Subnautica 2, there were insinuations that the former leadership wanted to rush the game out so they could cash in on Krafton’s bonus. Cleveland also cleared the air on this.
“As for the earnout, the idea that Max, Ted and I wanted to keep it all for ourselves is totally untrue. I’m in this industry because I love it, not for riches. Historically we’ve always shared our profits with the team and did the same when we sold the studio. You can be damned sure we’ll continue with the earnout/bonus as well. They deserve it for all their incredible work trying to get this great game into your hands.”
Krafton also maintained that the decision to axe the former Unknown Worlds executives had nothing to do with “any contractual or financial considerations”. At the moment, it is unclear if the lawsuit will further impede the release of Subnautica 2. Cleveland has advised fans of the game to “Stay tuned”.
