Subnautica 2 Leadership Lawsuit and Delay Amid $250M Bonus Dispute
On July 2025, former leadership of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica 2, filed a lawsuit against their parent company Krafton, following the announcement of a significant delay to the game. The dispute centers around a $250 million bonus tied to the game’s timely delivery, which Krafton claims the ex-leaders jeopardized by abandoning the project.
According to official statements from Krafton, the delay was necessary to ensure quality and polish, but the publisher accused the former studio heads of failing to honor their commitments, describing the situation as a “profound sense of betrayal.” Unknown Worlds’ ex-leaders countered with legal action, alleging mismanagement and breach of contract by Krafton.
The lawsuit and delay have caused considerable unrest within the Subnautica community, with fans expressing concern over the future of the highly anticipated sequel. Krafton’s full response and the ongoing legal proceedings are expected to impact the development timeline further.
Sources: Krafton official statement, Unknown Worlds ex-leadership lawsuit filings, community updates on Reddit
