Subnautica 2 Legal Dispute Ongoing: Unknown Worlds Sues Co-Founders Over Allegations

The Ongoing Legal Dispute Over Subnautica 2

The legal confrontation surrounding the development of Subnautica 2 has escalated, involving key figures Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill. Their former parent company, KRAFTON, has intensified the pressure by filing a lawsuit against the trio, who are co-founders of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the popular game.

KRAFTON’s Legal Strategy

This legal maneuver occurred shortly after KRAFTON launched its own lawsuit. Since Unknown Worlds operates as a wholly owned subsidiary, KRAFTON’s decision to initiate further legal action seems aimed at amplifying pressure on Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill.

Allegations of Abandonment

The latest lawsuit involves Slack messages purportedly supporting KRAFTON’s allegations that Cleveland and McGuire ceased working on Subnautica 2. It is alleged that they shifted focus to personal projects while their colleagues were left to manage the development challenges.

After their initial lawsuit against KRAFTON, Cleveland, Gill, and McGuire have not provided any updates. This raises questions regarding the origins of Unknown Worlds’ lawsuit and its motivations.

Similar Claims in New Filing

Unknown Worlds’ lawsuit echoes many of KRAFTON’s accusations, including claims that Cleveland and McGuire “abandoned”their responsibilities, thereby adversely affecting the development of Subnautica 2. There’s a strong suggestion that the co-founders were poised to release a subpar version of the game to secure a $250 million bonus that has been the focus of much debate.

“Acting out of pure self-interest, the Key Employees pushed to release any game – even one that was underdeveloped and had received a litany of disappointing reviews – into circulation on a timeline that maximized their earnout, even if it meant disappointing Subnautica’s devoted fans and damaging the franchise, ”the suit reads.

Questions Linger Amidst Legal Turmoil

The critical question arises: Is KRAFTON merely exerting further pressure by filing this lawsuit under the Unknown Worlds banner, or are there genuine concerns from current staff regarding the actions of their former leaders? The situation remains ambiguous, and attempts to reach KRAFTON for clarification about the motivations behind this lawsuit have gone unanswered as of the time of publication. Updates will follow if further information becomes available.

The Road Ahead

It is clear that the resolution of this legal dispute over Subnautica 2 is not imminent. The complexities of this situation suggest that some unanswered questions may remain shrouded in mystery for the foreseeable future.

Source & Images