Krafton Accuses Leads of Abandoning Responsibilities in Subnautica 2 Delay

The Ongoing Drama Surrounding Subnautica 2's Delay and Leadership Changes
The situation surrounding the development of Subnautica 2 has taken a dramatic turn, with Krafton, the parent company of the game’s original studio Unknown Worlds, making a public statement that sheds light on the reasons behind the game’s delay and the recent leadership changes. According to the statement, the company accuses the former leaders of abandoning their responsibilities and focusing on personal projects instead of fulfilling their roles in the game’s development.
Krafton claims it made multiple requests for Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, the founders of Unknown Worlds, to resume their roles as game director and technical director, respectively. However, both declined to do so. In particular, after the failure of Moonbreaker, Krafton reportedly asked Cleveland to focus on the development of Subnautica 2. Instead, he chose to work on a personal film project, according to the statement.
The company also highlights the financial implications of this leadership vacuum. A reported $250 million bonus was promised to the development team if certain revenue targets were met. This bonus was expected to be paid out just a few months from now. According to Krafton, 90% of this bonus was intended to go directly to Cleveland, McGuire, and former CEO Ted Gill before they were removed from the project.
Krafton’s statement concludes with a promise to provide fair and equitable compensation for all remaining employees at Unknown Worlds. It reaffirms the company’s commitment to delivering the rewards that were promised to the team.
Leadership Changes and Fan Reactions
The replacement of the entire leadership team of Subnautica 2 came as a shock to Charlie Cleveland, who claimed in a Reddit post that the game was “ready for early release.” He stated that the decision to remove him and other leaders was “in Krafton’s hands” and that the move “stings.”
This change was followed by a Bloomberg report suggesting that the decision was made just before the scheduled payout of the $250 million bonus. Employees were expecting bonuses ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, but they are now concerned that they may not receive them. Krafton responded to these concerns by stating that the delay was due to playtester feedback and had nothing to do with contractual or financial considerations.
Fans have started organizing boycotts of the game on social media, expressing their frustration over the leadership changes and the potential loss of promised bonuses. This has sparked a broader conversation about the relationship between developers, publishers, and fans, and how decisions made behind closed doors can impact the gaming community.
Moving Forward
Despite the challenges, Krafton remains committed to the future of Subnautica 2. The company has replaced the previous leadership with Steve Papoutsis, the former CEO of Striking Distance, and has delayed the game’s release to 2026. The new leadership team is expected to take charge of the development and ensure that the game meets the high expectations of its fans.
Krafton emphasizes that fans will always remain at the center of every decision. The company promises transparent communication and continued efforts to sustainably develop and expand the Subnautica universe. It also reiterates its commitment to repaying the patience of its fans with an even more refined and exceptional gaming experience.
As the situation continues to unfold, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how Subnautica 2 evolves under the new leadership and whether the promises made to the development team and fans will ultimately be fulfilled.
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