Subnautica 2 Devs Plead for Patience After Krafton Shake-Up
▼ Summary
– Unknown Worlds asks Subnautica fans for patience after Krafton replaced senior leadership, including co-founder Max McGuire, with Dead Space producer Steve Papoutsis.
– Fans reacted negatively, with a Reddit post calling for a boycott of Subnautica 2, citing concerns over Krafton’s focus on “development metrics.”
– The studio’s letter lacks details on the leadership changes or reasons for the departures, and an early access timeline update is promised “soon.”
– Unknown Worlds denies Subnautica 2 will become a live-service game or undergo monetization changes, addressing potential fan concerns.
– The remaining dev team emphasizes progress on Subnautica 2 but acknowledges delays, while fan sentiment remains skeptical toward Krafton and the studio.
The developers behind Subnautica 2 are urging fans to stay patient following significant leadership changes at parent company Krafton. The studio, Unknown Worlds, recently addressed concerns after Krafton replaced key figures, including co-founder Max McGuire, with Steve Papoutsis, known for his work on Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, as the new head.
Fan reactions have been mixed, with some calling for a boycott of the upcoming sequel. A widely shared Reddit post criticized Krafton’s decision, suggesting the publisher prioritized rigid development timelines over creative freedom. While the exact reasons for the leadership overhaul remain unclear, Krafton’s announcement referenced “development momentum” and “milestones,” sparking speculation about internal pressures.
Despite the backlash, Unknown Worlds’ public statement offered little clarity on the departures of designer Charlie Cleveland, CEO Ted Gill, and McGuire. Instead, the letter focused on reassuring fans about the game’s direction, explicitly denying rumors of a shift toward live-service monetization, a growing concern among players wary of corporate influence.
The studio emphasized that the existing development team remains committed to the project, though they acknowledged delays in sharing updates. An early access timeline for Subnautica 2 is expected soon, but skepticism lingers about whether the 2025 target is still feasible.
For now, rebuilding trust with the community will be a challenge, especially without transparency around the leadership changes. As details emerge, players are left weighing their enthusiasm for the sequel against unease over corporate decisions. The coming months will likely reveal whether Unknown Worlds can deliver on its promises, or if fan discontent will grow louder.
(Source: PC Gamer)
