New dispute emerges around Subnautica 2's early access release ...
Restored CEO's legal team says this week's announcement of a May launch was improper
www.gamefile.newsThe latest widely reported development is that a Delaware court ordered Krafton to reinstate Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill and restore his authority over Subnautica 2, while also extending the $250 million bonus window into September 2026. Reports from mid-March also said Krafton was evaluating its options after the ruling, and that the dispute over the game’s Early Access release and earn-out bonus was still ongoing.[1][4][7][10]
What changed
- Krafton was ordered to bring Ted Gill back as CEO of Unknown Worlds.[4][7][1]
- The court restored his operational control over Subnautica 2’s release planning.[5][4]
- The original $250 million earn-out period was extended to September 2026.[1][4]
Why it matters
The dispute centers on whether Krafton pushed out Unknown Worlds’ former leadership to avoid paying the performance bonus tied to Subnautica 2’s release targets. Krafton publicly said it disagreed with the ruling and was considering next steps, while insisting its focus remained on delivering the best possible game.[7][10][4][1]
Release status
Another March report said Unknown Worlds’ reinstated leadership objected to Krafton’s announcement that Subnautica 2 was ready for Early Access in May, calling it confusing and harmful. That suggests the launch timing and who controls the announcement remain contested.[2][5]
Recent noise
There are also newer social posts and forum discussions claiming Krafton may no longer be listed as the publisher on the Steam page, but those claims were not confirmed in the reliable reporting I found. On the verified side, the ownership and legal fight still appear unresolved.[3][6][10][4][1]
Would you like a tighter timeline of the Subnautica 2-Krafton dispute from 2025 to now?