US EditionOusted Subnautica 2 Leadership 'Files Lawsuit' Against Parent Company Krafton as Row Over $250M Bonus Gets Personal
KOREA, JUL 11 – Unknown Worlds founders allege Krafton delayed Subnautica 2 to avoid paying a $250 million bonus linked to 2025 revenue targets and have filed a lawsuit over leadership removal.
- In early July 2025, Krafton relieved Unknown Worlds founders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill of leadership amid disputes over a $250 million bonus and Subnautica 2's delay.
- The conflict arose as Krafton accused the executives of abandoning responsibilities and failing to prepare Subnautica 2 for early access, while the founders argued the game was ready and the bonus due if revenue targets were met by year-end.
- Cleveland called events 'explosive and surreal,' denied claims they tried to keep the earnout alone, and announced a lawsuit against Krafton amid fan calls to boycott Subnautica 2 due to the ongoing dispute.
- Krafton stated recent playtests were encouraging but insufficient for release, asserted about 90 percent of the bonus was already paid, and denied firing the founders to avoid the payout, expressing deep disappointment in their conduct.
- Subnautica 2's early access launch is now planned for 2026, and the lawsuit's outcome may affect the game's release and Unknown Worlds' future under Krafton's ownership.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Ousted Subnautica 2 Leadership 'Files Lawsuit' Against Parent Company Krafton as Row Over $250M Bonus Gets Personal
The founders of Subnautica 2 studio Unknown Worlds, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, along with former CEO Ted Gill, are filing a lawsuit against parent company Krafton amid an increasingly bitter row over a $250 million bonus.
The Subnautica 2 Saga Just Keeps Getting Messier Amid New Lawsuit And Alleged Leaks
The mysterious firing of Subnautica 2 studio Unknown Worlds’ founders earlier this month keeps taking unexpected turns, and the latest is that the veteran game developers are now suing publisher Krafton over the dismissals, which occurred with a $250 million payout on the line. Caught in the apparent crossfire is the…Read more...
Subnautica 2's former leadership files lawsuit against Krafton amid controversy
The former leadership of Subnautica 2 studio, Unknown Worlds, has announced the filing of a breach of contract lawsuit against Krafton as controversy continues.This info Subnautica 2's former leadership files lawsuit against Krafton amid controversy was first published on Gamepressure.com 11 July 2025.
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