Unknown Worlds Entertainment appears to have scrubbed all mentions of Krafton from the Subnautica 2 digital storefronts, signaling a major shift in the game’s road to market. The removal of the parent company as the official publisher on Steam and the Epic Games Store follows a highly publicized legal dispute between the developer and its owner. While Krafton still maintains ownership of the studio, the updated listings now name Unknown Worlds as both the developer and the primary publisher for the upcoming survival sequel.
This administrative change is the latest development in the fallout of a lawsuit led by the studio’s original founders, Max McGuire and Ted Gill, against Krafton for wrongful termination. The legal proceedings shed light on severe internal friction, most notably the revelation that Krafton allegedly utilized generative AI tools like ChatGPT to find loopholes to avoid paying a $250 million performance bonus to the development team. A judge ultimately ruled in favor of the developers, overturning the dismissals of Gill and his colleagues and ordering the publisher to honor the original bonus agreements.
The friction between the two entities has naturally impacted the production timeline. Initially slated for an earlier window, Subnautica 2 is now officially scheduled for an early access launch sometime in 2026. However, there is ongoing confusion regarding the specific month; while store pages list a general 2026 window, studio leadership had previously suggested a May 2026 target. It remains to be seen if the administrative distraction of the lawsuit will necessitate further delays or if the reinstated leadership can stabilize the schedule.
Despite the corporate drama, player sentiment appears to be rallying behind the developers. Many fans have openly shared their intent to wishlist the game as a gesture of support for the studio’s independence. With Ted Gill returning as CEO, the project enters its next phase of development with a team that has successfully fought for its autonomy and its financial due, though the long-term relationship with its parent company remains complicated.
