Krafton, Unknown Worlds, and the legal battle they are facing before the release of Subnautica 2

The launch of Subnautica 2, scheduled for May of this year in early access, has been embroiled in a significant conflict between Unknown Worlds and its former publisher Krafton. Recently, a substantial change was observed in the Steam product page, where Krafton is no longer listed as the publisher of the game. Instead, it is Unknown Worlds who is now in charge of both development and distribution, a move that appears to have been deliberate and not an administrative error.

The situation is getting more complicated every day

Discontent between both companies intensified after the layoffs of the co-founders of Unknown Worlds, as well as Krafton’s refusal to pay a $250 million bonus that depended on the sales of the sequel. These tensions led to a back-and-forth that resulted in a lawsuit. As a result, a judge ordered the reinstatement of Ted Gill, CEO of Unknown Worlds, with full control over the launch of Subnautica 2.

Despite legal advancements, the situation seems far from resolved. No clear details have been provided regarding the reasons behind this conflict, which has generated speculation and discomfort within the industry. This uncertainty fuels rumors that the issues between Unknown Worlds and Krafton may continue to surface as the game’s release date approaches.

The gaming community is closely watching this development, as Subnautica 2 is one of the most anticipated titles of the year. With the saga’s story and the impact its release may have on the survival genre, it is expected that the events surrounding this conflict will continue to make headlines and news until and beyond the scheduled release date.