Ex-Subnautica 2 Developers Sue Krafton Over Dispute
▼ Summary
– Subnautica 2’s development drama involves a lawsuit by Unknown Worlds’ co-founders and former CEO against Krafton over a disputed $250 million bonus tied to financial targets.
– Krafton delayed Subnautica 2’s early-access release, potentially jeopardizing the bonus, and accused the former leaders of abandoning development responsibilities.
– Charlie Cleveland announced the lawsuit on Reddit, stating the need to “make things right” and denying claims of abandoning the game or team.
– Cleveland refuted accusations that he and his partners intended to keep the bonus for themselves, emphasizing profit-sharing with the team historically.
– Subnautica 2 is now scheduled for release on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026, following the controversy and delay.
The legal battle surrounding Subnautica 2 has taken a dramatic turn as former developers file a lawsuit against Krafton, escalating tensions in what was already a contentious situation. The dispute centers on allegations of unpaid bonuses and accusations of mismanagement, casting a shadow over the highly anticipated sequel.
Former Unknown Worlds studio leaders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill have initiated legal action against Krafton, the parent company behind the Subnautica franchise. The conflict erupted after Krafton publicly criticized the trio, claiming they neglected their duties during development. Cleveland responded by announcing the lawsuit on Reddit, emphasizing that the move was necessary to set the record straight.
At the heart of the disagreement is a $250 million performance-based bonus tied to Unknown Worlds meeting specific financial targets by 2025. With Subnautica 2’s delay pushing its release to 2026, achieving those goals now appears unlikely. Krafton’s decision to postpone the game, revealed alongside a new trailer, sparked backlash from fans, many of whom called for a boycott after learning about the disputed bonus structure.
Cleveland vehemently denied claims that he and his colleagues sought to withhold the bonus from their team. “The idea that we wanted to keep the money for ourselves is completely false,” he stated. “We’ve always shared profits fairly, and we intended to do the same with this bonus. The team deserves recognition for their hard work.”
The lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to Subnautica 2’s troubled development cycle. Originally slated for early access this year, the game’s delay has left fans questioning Krafton’s handling of the franchise. Meanwhile, Cleveland reaffirmed his commitment to the series, calling it his life’s work and expressing frustration over the public fallout.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the gaming community watches closely, eager for clarity on what went wrong behind the scenes. Subnautica 2 remains scheduled for release on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026, though the ongoing dispute may continue to overshadow its development.
(Source: GameSpot)
