Subnautica 2 Leak Reveals Reasons Behind KRAFTON’s Game Delay

The Controversy Surrounding the Delay of Subnautica 2

The anticipated sequel, Subnautica 2, has recently become the center of controversy, particularly between the developer, Unknown Worlds, and its parent company, KRAFTON. Here’s a detailed overview of the unfolding events:

Timeline of Key Events

• The initial release date was set for June 2025; however, that timeline has shifted significantly.
• KRAFTON made substantial leadership changes at Unknown Worlds earlier this month by appointing industry veteran Steve Papoutsis, replacing long-time leaders Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire.
• Bloomberg reported this week that the game’s launch has been postponed until 2026, resulting in Unknown Worlds potentially missing a $250 million bonus tied to revenue targets set for this year.
• This delay has been officially confirmed, though KRAFTON maintained that it was not influenced by financial considerations.
• Soon after, KRAFTON criticized the former studio leadership, specifically claiming they had neglected their duties, with allegations that Cleveland prioritized personal projects over the game.
• Interestingly, it was revealed that studio leads would have been eligible for 90% of the aforementioned $250 million bonus.

Insights from Leaked Documents

In a recent development, an internal document from KRAFTON was leaked on Reddit, shedding light on the company’s reservations about the game’s current state. According to this document, KRAFTON believes Subnautica 2 lacks the required polish and market readiness to drive expansion and growth of the franchise. Notably, some content originally planned for early access, including two biomes, a specific variant of Leviathan, various creatures, several tools, approximately six hours of narrative content, and character customization features, have been omitted from the release.

Community Reactions and Leadership Statements

KRAFTON’s decision to delay the game stems from a desire to enhance user satisfaction by adding more content and refinement before launching it to the public.

In response to these developments, former studio head Charlie Cleveland has publicly countered KRAFTON’s narrative, stating:

We know (and love) that the expectations for this sequel are high. But the team has poured their hearts into the game and their dedication really shows. We helped pioneer early access and our community seems to love it just as much as we do. It’s the best way to develop a game like this.

Cleveland continued with a heartfelt reflection on the sudden changes: “This week has been quite a shock for Max, Ted, myself, the Unknown Worlds team, and our community. We firmly believe the game is ready for early access, and we understand how eager you are to play it. While we initially thought this decision would rest with us, it’s currently in KRAFTON’s hands. To find that I’m no longer able to work at the company I started is a painful realization.”

Looking Ahead

As this situation evolves, one question looms large: Will it escalate into legal proceedings? Only time will tell. We will continue to provide updates not only on this potential conflict but also on Subnautica 2 as its new launch date of 2026 approaches.

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