Krafton Changes Course in Lawsuit Against Founders of Unknown Worlds Over Subnautica 2 Dispute

Latest Developments in Subnautica 2 Lawsuit

In October 2024, Krafton and Unknown Worlds made waves with the announcement that Subnautica 2 would enter Early Access in 2025. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically since then. As we moved through 2025, various surprises unfolded that have kept fans and industry watchers on their toes.

Since the last significant update, notable events such as Gamescom 2025, the release of Silksong, and SEGA’s revival of its nostalgic ad campaign against Nintendo have created a whirlwind of news. If you’re feeling a bit lost, don’t worry—there’s a recap available at the conclusion of this article. For now, let’s delve into the latest developments regarding the ongoing legal drama.

Court Rulings and Krafton’s Changing Narrative

Recent reports indicate that a court has denied two key requests from Krafton—a forensic inspection and a compelling preservation order—labeling them as “unnecessary.”This decision stems from claims by co-founders Gill, Cleveland, and McGuire, who argue that Krafton has abruptly altered its arguments in the lawsuit.

Previously, the termination notices issued by Krafton stated that the co-founders were dismissed due to alleged attempts to rush the release of Subnautica 2. Krafton has consistently maintained that the game was not ready for early access, but this narrative appears to have shifted. According to representatives from Fortis Advisors, Krafton’s legal team now asserts that the firings were motivated by the co-founders backing up files they had access to during their employment—an argument that emerged only after their dismissal.

“Krafton’s disorganized retreat raises more questions than answers. To say Krafton’s new theory is a Hail Mary would be an understatement – both because the downloads were not wrongful and because Krafton claims not to have learned of them until after it had fired the Founders. The downloads cannot have been the actual motivation for termination.”

Confusion Surrounding the Termination Reasons

This shift implies a significant departure from Krafton’s original rationale for the terminations, focusing less on the state of Subnautica 2 and more on post-firing actions of the co-founders. In essence, the readiness of the game is no longer central to the case at hand.

Furthermore, Krafton’s strategy now seems to hinge on the assertion that the co-founders had abandoned their roles, thereby complicating the narrative. Judge Lori W. Will, who is presiding over the case, expressed her confusion regarding Krafton’s retraction of the early release claim, indicating a need for clarity moving forward.

Krafton’s Response and the Path Ahead

Compounding the situation, Krafton’s cooperation during these proceedings has been less than forthcoming. Reports suggest the company has been reluctant to share pertinent information, providing only a limited selection of emails that reference the terms “termination”and “earnout.”

As both parties now strive to confer more effectively, the legal saga continues. With tensions mounting and both sides lodged in a complex dispute, clarity may remain elusive. As commentators have noted, the situation is undeniably messy, and the full scope of the allegations may never come to light.

We will keep our readers informed with updates as this story progresses. If you’re looking for a recap of previous events, please refer to the summary below.

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