Krafton Delays Subnautica 2, Jeopardizing $250 Million Producer Bonus

Delay of Subnautica 2 Pushes $250M Bonus Target Beyond Reach, Leading Exodus at Unknown Worlds

The highly anticipated Early Access launch of Subnautica 2 has been delayed until 2026, a decision announced by publisher Krafton that coincides with significant leadership changes at developer Unknown Worlds, which Krafton acquired in 2021. According to a Bloomberg investigation, this delay carries major financial implications for the development team. The acquisition contract between Unknown Worlds and Krafton stipulates a $250 million bonus payment, contingent on the studio meeting specific revenue targets by the end of 2025. With the revised timeline, achieving these targets is now highly unlikely, potentially invalidating the bonus. Key figures from Unknown Worlds, including Charlie Cleveland, creative director of the original Subnautica series, Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill, departed the studio just days before the delay announcement. As stated by Cleveland on Reddit, the decision to delay the launch was not made by the studio and caught the previous leadership off guard. These former leaders had intended to share the potential bonus with all company employees.

Delay in Subnautica 2 Launch for Quality Improvements and Contract Assessment at Unknown Worlds under New Leadership

Krafton, however, has publicly justified the decision based on feedback from extensive playtesting sessions, stating their priority is game quality improvement. The publisher denies any contractual or financial motivations behind the delay, emphasizing its commitment to delivering an exceptional player experience. These discussions about the delay were already underway before the recent changes in studio leadership. Steve Papoutsis, formerly CEO of Striking Distance Studios, has now taken over as the head of Unknown Worlds. Internally, Papoutsis has stated that Subnautica 2 requires more content before its public release, despite acknowledging the development team’s positive assessment of the game’s current state. During a subsequent company meeting, the Unknown Worlds team pressed Papoutsis for an explanation regarding the delay. When asked about the impact on the $250 million bonus payment, Papoutsis requested time to better understand the details of the acquisition contract.

In Case You Missed It

In a heartfelt plea that echoes through the gaming community, actress Alix Wilton Regan has taken to her blog to urge fans to rally behind Perfect Dark. Published on July 4, 2025, “Actress Urges Fans to Save Perfect Dark” dives into the recent cancellation by Microsoft Gaming and the closure of The Initiative studio. Regan highlights past instances where other studios have been sold or had their properties taken over, suggesting there’s still hope for another company to step in and revive this beloved franchise. If you’re invested in seeing Perfect Dark see the light of day, be sure to read Marcus Thompson’s piece Actress Urges Fans to Save Perfect Dark and join the call to action. For those keeping an eye on the latest developments in gaming, especially concerning Subnautica 2, Marcus Thompson’s recent article offers some much-needed clarity and insight. Published on July 7th, this piece delves into the surprising leadership changes at Unknown Worlds and how they might impact the eagerly awaited sequel. Despite initial concerns among fans, the development team is working hard to reassure everyone about their commitment to player-centric gaming without intrusive monetization strategies. To stay updated on these important updates and understand where Subnautica 2 stands today, be sure to check out Subnautica 2 Provides Reassuring Updates Following Shocking Announcement. If you’re a fan of Subnautica and have been eagerly awaiting the release of its sequel, we’ve got some news that might not be what you hoped for. Sophie Laurent’s latest piece on Players For Life delves into the recent delay of Subnautica 2 from late 2025 to early 2026 (published on July 10, 2025). The article outlines Krafton Inc.’s decision to reassess the game’s readiness for release and the impact this will have on both development and employee bonuses. For all the details, head over to Subnautica 2: The Bad News Fans Feared Has Come To Pass and stay informed.