The entire leadership team of Unknown Worlds, the developer behind Subnautica 2, has been abruptly replaced, with former Striking Distance CEO Steve Papoutsis stepping in as the new CEO. This sudden change saw the immediate removal of key figures Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire.
Krafton, the parent company of Unknown Worlds and known for PUBG, has not provided detailed reasons for the leadership overhaul. However, they expressed a desire to keep the original creators of the Subnautica series involved in the game’s development while wishing the outgoing leaders well in their future endeavors.
Krafton emphasized that Papoutsis will prioritize maintaining development momentum and delivering the best possible player experience, bringing a renewed sense of energy and drive to the project. The impact of this leadership change on the game’s release schedule remains unclear.
Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire co-founded Unknown Worlds 24 years ago, with Ted Gill joining nearly seven years ago and serving as president before being promoted to CEO in August 2024. The sudden nature of this change is underscored by the fact that all three still list Unknown Worlds as their employer on LinkedIn.
Krafton’s CEO CH Kim stated, “Nothing is more important than the player experience. Given the high anticipation for Subnautica 2, we owe it to our players to deliver the best game as soon as possible.”
“We are excited to have Steve join us and work alongside Krafton and Unknown Worlds to make Subnautica 2 a more complete and satisfying entry in the series that truly meets player expectations.”
Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in October 2021, assuring that the studio would continue to operate independently.
Subnautica 2 will support up to four players exploring a new planet filled with fresh environments, flora, and fauna. While the release date is yet to be confirmed, the game is expected to launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S in late 2025, with top-tier subscribers gaining access via Game Pass.
The original Subnautica received a 9.1 rating for its focused survival gameplay and outstanding sci-fi narrative, particularly praised for its underwater horror experience. Its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, also earned a high score of 9 from IGN.
Vikki Blake, an IGN journalist with over 15 years of experience, is a commentator, columnist, and consultant known for her passion for games like Overwatch, Spartan Warriors, Silent Hill, and The Legend series, and is a dedicated fan of “high chaos” gameplay modes. She can be found on BlueSky.
