Highlights
- Unknown Worlds regained self-publishing rights for Subnautica 2 after a legal win against Krafton.
- The lawsuit exposed an AI-assisted takeover plot intended to dodge a $250 million payout.
- Original CEO Ted Gill was reinstated, securing the game’s 2026 release without publisher interference.
If you check the Steam, Xbox, or Epic Games Store pages for Subnautica 2 right now, you might notice a major name missing. Publisher Krafton has been scrubbed completely from the highly anticipated underwater survival sequel, leaving original developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment listed as both the developer and publisher. Fans noticed Krafton vanishing from store pages, with backend updates confirming the deliberate removal earlier in the month. This sudden storefront shift isn't a glitch. It is the climax of a bitter, multi-million dollar legal battle that just handed operational control back to the game's original creators.
While Krafton still technically owns Unknown Worlds following a $500 million acquisition in 2021, the relationship soured over money. A staggering $250 million earnout bonus was promised to the studio's leadership if Subnautica 2 hit specific early access release targets. Internal projections showed the team was well on its way to triggering the payout, which allegedly caused Krafton leadership to panic.
In 2025, Krafton used a board resolution to abruptly fire studio founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, alongside CEO Ted Gill, citing vague concerns over the game's readiness.
Steam
A Bizarre AI-Assisted Takeover Attempt
The fired executives didn't just walk away. They fired back with a massive 58-page lawsuit for wrongful termination, accusing Krafton of deliberately sabotaging the game's launch to dodge the massive bonus. The trial revealed an incredibly bizarre detail: Krafton CEO Changhan Kim actually consulted ChatGPT for advice on how to draft a hostile takeover strategy dubbed "Project X,” as per GameRant.
He turned to the AI after his own legal department warned him that firing the developers without cause would invite massive lawsuits. The Delaware Chancery Court didn't buy Krafton's maneuvers, handing down a landmark ruling this past March that slapped the publisher for breaching their agreement.
The judge ordered Krafton to immediately reinstate Ted Gill as CEO with full operational authority and to honor the $250 million bonus structure, extending the deadline to make up for the time lost to corporate interference. This ruling restored Gill's access to the Steam backend, aligning perfectly with the recent updates showing Unknown Worlds self-publishing the title. Krafton stated the disagreement with the ruling, noting they would continue working with the studio, but their actual involvement going forward seems severely minimized. Phase two of the litigation over monetary damages is still ongoing.
Murky Waters Ahead for Early Access
The big question for fans now is exactly when they will get to dive back into the alien oceans. Former interim leader Steve Papoutsis previously stated the game would enter early access in May 2026. However, the updated store listings currently contradict this, displaying a looser 2026 release window. It remains to be seen if the May window will stick now that Gill has replaced Papoutsis at the helm and early access plans are being adjusted.
Gamers across the world have rallied hard behind the original developers. After discovering Krafton's removal from the storefronts, users flooded social media to share that they were adding Subnautica 2 to their wish lists specifically as a way to support Unknown Worlds. Krafton's previous boasting about being an "AI-first company" left a sour taste for many, making this indie-spirit victory even sweeter.
Despite the intense turbulence behind the scenes, the game is shaping up to be an unforgettable adventure. With a promise of brand new biomes and monsters to discover, along with an expanded co-op multiplayer experience entirely free of battle passes and subscriptions, Unknown Worlds reclaiming their independence is the best possible sign for the future of the franchise.
