Subnautica 2 Publisher Used ChatGPT to Replace Founders
▼ Summary
– Unknown Worlds’ cofounders were fired and are suing Krafton, alleging the publisher terminated them to avoid paying a $250 million bonus tied to Subnautica 2 sales milestones.
– Krafton allegedly engineered a takeover after failing to renegotiate lower bonuses, with internal documents revealing plans to “cancel the earn-out” or execute a “take over.”
– The cofounders claim Krafton consulted ChatGPT for ways to avoid the payout, but the AI advised it would be difficult to cancel the bonus, and Krafton says the conversations no longer exist.
– Krafton disputes the allegations, stating the firings were due to the cofounders’ lack of focus on Subnautica 2 and accusing them of destroying evidence and retaining confidential documents.
– The firings reportedly damaged studio morale, creating a culture of “silence and unease,” while Krafton maintains the changes were necessary to protect the Subnautica franchise and prioritize fan experience.
The ongoing legal dispute between Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton and the founders of Unknown Worlds has escalated with new allegations that the company’s CEO consulted an AI chatbot for advice on avoiding a massive $250 million bonus payout. According to recent court filings, Krafton allegedly orchestrated the abrupt termination of cofounders Charles Cleveland, Adam “Max” McGuire, and Edward “Ted” Gill after failing to renegotiate the bonus tied to specific sales milestones for the highly anticipated sequel. Internal documents described as “smoking gun” evidence suggest the publisher explored ways to either cancel the contractual earn-out or execute a takeover of the studio.
In a pre-trial briefing, the founders argue that Krafton was fully aware of their roles and that concerns about Subnautica 2’s development timeline only surfaced when the publisher grew anxious about the financial commitment. The filing includes excerpts from internal Krafton communications, including an exchange where CEO Kim Chang-han reportedly turned to ChatGPT for strategies to avoid the payout. The AI reportedly responded that it would be “difficult to cancel the earn-out,” and the founders claim Krafton has refused to produce records of these conversations, stating they no longer exist.
Krafton has denied these claims, calling them a distraction and pointing to alleged efforts by the founders to destroy evidence, including messages encouraging the deletion of “incriminating” material from their own ChatGPT accounts. The publisher also asserts that the former executives showed little interest in the development of Subnautica 2, which remains a top priority, and that leadership changes were necessary to protect the franchise’s future.
The founders counter that Krafton’s actions have severely impacted studio morale, fostering an atmosphere of “silence and unease” where employees report a significant lack of trust in the publisher. They deny allegations of misconduct, including claims that they withheld information or improperly retained confidential documents, and maintain that Krafton was informed of all relevant developments prior to their dismissal.
Krafton has reiterated its commitment to delivering a quality experience for Subnautica fans, stating that it offered to extend the founders’ earnout period if they returned to their positions, an offer the founders declined. The publisher also emphasized that it will continue to present evidence supporting its position as the case proceeds through the legal system. Subnautica 2 is currently slated for release in 2026.
(Source: Kotaku)
