For most people watching from the sidelines, the feud between Krafton and Unknown Worlds’ former studio heads, which has Subnautica 2 at the center, is all about money. However, both parties have continued to share details to prove the dispute is not primarily about money.
The latest update coming from Krafton claims the publisher has agreed to extend the schedule of the $25 million of the $250 million bonus in contention to Unknown Worlds developers following the delay of Subnautica 2.
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After the acquisition of Unknown Worlds in 2021 for $500 million, Krafton promised an additional $250 million to the studio in 2026, if it meets performance goals. However, with the ousting of the former founders from the studio, Krafton is no longer mandated to keep to that promise, especially because it was claimed their exit was on the premise of bad behavior.
The ousted executives claimed Krafton took the decision to push forward Subnautica 2’s Early Access launch to 2026 to avoid paying the bonus. On the other hand, the publisher maintained that the game wasn’t ready and that the decision was not motivated by any financial obligations.
A new report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier explained that 10% of the $250 million from the acquisition agreement was reserved for 40 employees. The report confirmed that Krafton agreed to extend the schedule for the potential bonus payout to account for the delay of Subnautica 2.
“Krafton also said it would advance a portion of the studio’s projected 2026 profit-sharing bonus pool to all Unknown Worlds employees this year,” Schreier wrote.
The true state of Subnautica 2
Since the feud between the former partners turned into a media buzz, spectators have had divided opinions. Last week, the former studio heads dragged Krafton to court, maintaining that the delay of Subnautica 2 was not necessary since the game was ready for Early Access release. Krafton, on their part, said the game was not ready.
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It was hard for spectators to decide who to support, owing to the fact that many developers have been criticized for releasing buggy, unfinished games. However, a recent leak on the state of the game’s development shared on Reddit has given players an idea of where things stand with Subnautica 2. The authenticity of the document was in doubt until Krafton released a statement confirming it was genuine.
“The document that has been circulating on social media and reported by various outlets is indeed part of an internal milestone review conducted as part of the Subnautica 2 project,” said Krafton’s PR team. “Krafton has confirmed that portions of it have been leaked and are now being widely shared across online platforms and within the fan community. Krafton recognizes the confusion this has caused.”
“Milestone reviews are conducted regularly in collaboration with Krafton’s creative studios across all projects. These reviews help assess development progress, define clear objectives, and ensure that each project aligns with KRAFTON’s standards in both creativity and quality. This process is central to KRAFTON’s commitment to delivering polished, high-quality games at the right time.”
After seeing the leaked document and hearing from both sides, who do you think is at fault in this matter, Krafton or the former Unknown World heads? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
