Subnautica 2 Delayed to 2026 Following Studio Leaders’ Departure

Subnautica 2 Delayed Amidst Leadership Departure and Performance Bonus Dispute at Unknown Worlds

Publisher Krafton has delayed the release of Subnautica 2 to 2026. This announcement followed the departure of three key leaders from developer Unknown Worlds just one week prior, suggesting potential underlying issues with the game’s development. An investigation by Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier indicates the friction is tied to a $250 million performance bonus. This bonus was set to be paid to Unknown Worlds by Krafton if the studio met specific sales targets by the end of 2025, according to contract terms from its acquisition. Anonymous sources cited in the report anticipated the delay, stating that Unknown Worlds’ leadership opposed the setback as it would hinder the studio’s ability to achieve its performance goal. Discussions about pushing back Subnautica 2’s launch were underway even before the leadership changes at Unknown Worlds. If met, the bonus was intended for distribution among staff, with some reportedly expecting six-to-seven-figure payouts.

While the exact reasons for the sudden departure of former studio head Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire remain unconfirmed by Unknown Worlds, sources suggest it could be related to disagreements over Subnautica 2’s release date or the substantial performance bonus. Steve Papoutsis, formerly head of Striking Distance Studios, has since taken over as the new studio head for Unknown Worlds. Krafton confirmed the delay to IGN, stating that Subnautica 2’s early access will now begin in 2026. The publisher cited a desire to fine-tune aspects and offer more content at the start of early access, despite positive feedback received during test sessions. Krafton also released a new gameplay teaser alongside the delay announcement.

A Krafton spokesperson commented: “We received excellent feedback on Subnautica 2 during these testing sessions. The community responded well to the environment, creatures, and story, showing positive sentiment regarding the overall game direction. This gave us a great indication that we’re heading in the right direction. This feedback also allowed us to identify some areas for improvements before the release of Subnautica 2’s first version. Our community is at the heart of our development process, and that’s why we want to take a bit more time to address this feedback before launching the game in early access. Now that Subnautica 2 will be released in 2026, we can add more biomes, new vehicle enhancements, additional tools, further develop the story, and integrate even more creatures for discovery.” Subnautica 2 remains one of the most anticipated games by Steam users.

In Case You Missed It

For those interested in the latest developments in the gaming industry, particularly regarding the challenges faced by developers after major acquisitions, be sure to read Jonathan Dubinski’s recent post titled “Krafton Delays Subnautica 2, Jeopardizing $250 Million Producer Bonus,” published on July 10, 2025. The article delves into the unexpected delay of Subnautica 2 and its potential financial repercussions for Unknown Worlds, now under Krafton’s umbrella. With significant leadership changes and a new CEO taking the helm, this piece offers insightful analysis into how such delays can impact not just game development but also corporate structures Krafton Delays Subnautica 2, Jeopardizing $250 Million Producer Bonus. For all you Subnautica fans out there, Sophie Laurent’s latest piece, “Subnautica 2: The Bad News Fans Feared Has Come To Pass,” published on July 10th, delves into the recent delay of the highly anticipated game from late 2025 to early 2026. With insights from Jason Schreier and details about Krafton’s decision-making process, this post explores how this development impacts both fans and employees at Unknown Worlds. If you’re curious about what led to this significant change in release plans, be sure to check out the full article Subnautica 2: The Bad News Fans Feared Has Come To Pass. And if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber and a gamer, make sure to check out “Prime Gaming Adds More Free Games to July Lineup for Amazon Prime Subscribers” by Ahmed Hassan (published on 2025-07-08) where he dives into the latest additions of four new free games for this month. It’s an exciting update that complements the already impressive roster available exclusively until the end of July. Head over to Prime Gaming Adds More Free Games to July Lineup for Amazon Prime Subscribers for all the details!