Krafton Delays Subnautica 2 Release to 2026 After Studio Head’s Exit, Potentially to Avoid $250 Million Developer Bonus

Krafton Delays Release of Subnautica 2 to 2026 to Avoid Bonus Payout

Krafton, the parent company of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica and its sequel, has announced a postponement of the much-anticipated Subnautica 2 from its planned 2025 launch to 2026. This decision appears to be strategically aligned with avoiding a hefty $250 million bonus due to the developers at Unknown Worlds.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the team at Unknown Worlds was poised to receive this significant bonus if they met specific revenue targets prior to 2025. The release of Subnautica 2 within the original timeline could have played a crucial role in reaching those financial goals. However, the delay casts doubt on the potential to achieve those metrics and secure the bonus for the developers.

The announcement of the delay comes on the heels of a major leadership change at Unknown Worlds. Founders Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire were replaced by Steve Papoutsis, the former studio head at Striking Distance Studios. Although Krafton did not disclose the reasons behind this leadership shakeup, they emphasized in their press release that “there is nothing more important than the gamer experience.” They noted the vital importance of delivering the best game possible, especially given the high expectations surrounding Subnautica 2.

Reportedly, the decision to push back the game’s release was not one that the former founders supported. Cleveland publicly expressed his astonishment on the Subnautica subreddit, stating that the team felt prepared for an early access release. He lamented, “While we thought this was going to be our decision to make, at least for now, that decision is in Krafton’s hands. After all these years, to find I’m no longer able to work at the company I started stings.”

During a recent town hall meeting, Papoutsis addressed the development team, stating that Krafton believes Subnautica 2 is not yet ready for an early access launch. He indicated that the additional time would be used to enhance the game’s content. When questioned about whether the delay was strategic to bypass the $250 million payout, Papoutsis acknowledged that it was a valid concern but requested patience regarding this topic. He candidly admitted, “I am not familiar with the specifics of Krafton’s contract with Unknown Worlds and its acquisition.”

As the new studio head explained, “The desire of Krafton is to have the very best version of Subnautica 2 available for its early access. While yes, the software that everybody worked on is in a great spot and it felt like, ‘Hey we should launch this, ’ that wasn’t where both parties aligned around.” He reassured the team that the changes were not motivated by any financial strategy concerning their earnout.

Krafton, widely recognized for its blockbuster battle royale game PUBG, previously acquired Tango Gameworks to prevent its closure. Subnautica 2 was initially slated to debut in early access in October 2024 and was expected to be part of Xbox Game Pass upon release. The landscape around this delay and the changes at Unknown Worlds highlights the complexities of game development and corporate strategy.