dI understood that some news wasn’t that focused on Microsoft’s awful, wasted, very bad week. The dying light Developer Techland has cancelled two titles (which could include fantasy RPGs, but thankfully there were no layoffs). EA is finally shutting down the server national anthem January 2026. But that’s the unknown Worlds Entertainment situation, developer developers Subnauticaand everything surrounding its upcoming sequel has escalated completely to something else.
On July 2nd, Krafton, which acquired the developer for $500 million in 2021, suddenly announced that its leadership (co-founders Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire) had been replaced by Steve Papivto’s “in-the-fly” version. The latter is known for his work in Dead Space, but more recently he is known for leading the Strike Distance Studios. Callisto Protocol stigma. Papoutsis becomes CEO and helps with “delivery” Subnautica 2 According to the publisher, it is something that truly exists in the expectations of players as a more complete and satisfying entry in the series.
Needless to say, this has blinded the player base. The Unknown World recently began releasing development-style video blog videos, but early access appears to be on track for release later this year. Until a few days later, we don’t know how much this decision shocked previous leadership. But perhaps, feeling what this would look like, the studio issued a statement. While helping Papoutsis move into a CEO role, players have “ensure that the ‘day team’ that has been working on the title over the past few years remains unchanged at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miwqsqic4z8
And then along with Krafton’s financial report. Subnautica The studio will be a “multiplayer live service game” that you wanted to reassure you. “It remains the first experience of single-player with optional cooperative multiplayer. No subscriptions. No booty boxes. No battle pass. No microtransactions.”
But this was when one of the co-founders, Charlie Cleveland, posted on Reddit about “the team put their hearts on the game,” and “I know the game is ready for an early access release. Start, stabbed.” As you’d likely expect, this led to a new wave of backlash against the publishers, but things were about to get worse.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported it Subnautica 2 Early Access was delayed until next year “against hopes” of previous leadership. However, the studio is said to receive a $250 million bonus if it meets certain “revenue targets” by the end of 2025. As you probably guessed, delaying early access means that the unknown world will not achieve those goals and therefore will not receive this bonus at sources that it claims to be shared among all employees. Given this, Crafton’s motivation was further considered an impurity, as it could result in millions of valuable bonuses. Of course, it’s based on what we knew.
The Unknown World will then release the first gameplay teaser trailer Subnautica 2 We have officially announced the 2026 delay for early access. In addition to the usual reasons for implementing feedback in some areas and wanting to improve it, we also cited the need for more content. So fans can expect more biomes, tools, creatures and more. Also, everyone is developing, the same core team. Remember that.
This was seen as damage control by the community, which was beginning to seek boycott of the title. And whether boycotting is effective or not, Reddit’s posts with 55,000 upboats among all others weren’t the negative coverage the studio wanted.
It certainly wasn’t what Krafton wanted, so it took the next unexpected step. We have revealed why leadership was replaced in the first place.
The overwhelming $250 million bonus, 90%, said it would be sent to the studio co-founders in hopes of demonstrating leadership and active involvement. Subnautica 2. “However, Clafton claims that he “waived the responsibility left to them,” and that while the sequel was intended to start early access in early 2024, “the timeline has since been significantly delayed.” “We made multiple requests to Charlie and Max to resume their roles as game directors and technical directors respectively, but both refused to do so,” he called for the Moonbreaker’s failure and how Cleveland was dedicated to working on the film rather than focusing on the film. Subnautica 2 development.
This has created “disruptions of repetitive direction and significant delays in the overall project schedule,” and publishers feel “a deeply disappointed in the previous act of leadership and, above all, feel betrayed by failing to respect the trust placed on them by their fans.” This has resulted in a “difficult but necessary decision to change executive leadership.”
Oh, and don’t worry, it’s once more, it’s Subnautica 2 It was developed by a “dedicated core team that shares true passion, accountability and commitment to the game.” He further said, “We have committed fair and impartial compensation to all unknown world employees who have made continuous and tireless contributions. Subnautica 2 Development reaffirms its “commitment to providing promised rewards.”
Does that mean you’ll eventually receive a portion of the $250 million payment that was promised? The roller coaster has not yet stopped as the previous co-founder announced a lawsuit against Crafton and details should be “(at least most) public” for each Cleveland. And while he’s not keen on the same thing, he says, “This needs to be right. Subnautica It was my life’s job and I never gave up on it or a great team that I was willing to give up. “Furthermore, he denied that the co-founder wanted to maintain most of the bonuses.
“Historically, we have always shared profits with our teams and did the same thing when we sold our studios. Make sure we continue to earn out/bonus as well.
Schreier states in Resetera that Cleveland and McGuire are “barely involved.” Subnautica 2. “However, statements about how the game had turned badly without their involvement contradictory that things are moving smoothly now that they are gone.
Also, if it was released this year, there are leaks of screenshots of content that are allegedly reduced for early access. The legitimacy of the source is controversial, but it is not a real response from the studio. Regarding the official discrepancy, community manager Donya Abramo revealed that the statement on the delay was a statement from the studio, not the Crafton, and that “were the only people working on it.” Subnautica 2 Developers in the unknown world are directly. ” There was also a guarantee at this point that there would be no microtransactions, battle passes, subscriptions, or booty boxes.
Other statements from the developer include how there is no concern about the story (no rewrites have been seen) and the recent trailers are gameplay rather than CGI. Because of its value, teams working on the title still show transparency into the community. Of course, as long as they can.
To say that everything else is confusing is an understatement. Is that when leadership ignores its obligations? Is Krafton really an evil company, Alterra, given it, and everyone is drawing it? At this point, you probably won’t know everything until the actual lawsuit begins. how Subnautica 2 We don’t know about these conditions yet, but we’re sure. Clafton and the unknown world have difficult battles to fight in the public eye.
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent GamingBolt’s views as an organization.
