The ongoing situation between Subnautica 2’s developer, Unknown Worlds, and its publisher, Krafton, has taken an interesting turn. A pre-trial brief from former studio leaders claims that Krafton’s CEO, Changham Kim, was eager to avoid paying bonuses after the game’s release was pushed back to 2026.
Initially, Subnautica 2 was slated for release this year, but Krafton decided to delay it. Shortly before this decision, they let go of several key developers, including Charlie Cleveland, who directed the original Subnautica. While Krafton stated that the delay was due to feedback from playtests, Cleveland asserted that the game was actually ready for early access.
After his dismissal, Cleveland voiced his shock on Reddit, claiming that the claims about the game’s readiness were misleading. Following this, he and other former leaders took legal action against Krafton, which accused them of abandoning the project. Krafton responded, stating that they looked forward to defending their position in court.
The recent pre-trial brief reveals more details. The document suggests that Krafton’s leadership was worried about reputational damage. Kim allegedly believed that granting bonuses to the former Unknown Worlds team would make him seem weak, which could jeopardize his role as CEO. Slack messages included in the brief suggest that Krafton even discussed taking over Unknown Worlds to avoid these payouts.
Interestingly, it’s reported that Kim sought advice from the AI tool ChatGPT to figure out how to sidestep the bonus payment. Despite the AI’s suggestions indicating that it would be challenging to cancel the earnout once sales targets were met, Krafton decided to postpone the game’s release beyond that deadline. However, they did not provide the ChatGPT conversations, claiming they no longer exist.
This situation reflects a larger trend in the tech and gaming industries, where companies often look to cut costs, even if it impacts employee morale or project integrity. A recent survey found that 55% of game developers are concerned about job security in the rapidly changing industry. This concern has led to a push for better working conditions and more transparency in corporate decisions.
Moreover, amidst the controversy, Krafton recently announced its commitment to becoming an “AI-first” company, indicating a significant shift in their operational strategy. This decision has sparked a debate within the industry. Notably, Brendan Greene, the creator of PUBG, has expressed his support for resistance against the manipulative use of AI in gaming development.
As the legal proceedings unfold, many are watching closely to see how this will affect the future of Subnautica 2 and what it might mean for gaming studios grappling with similar issues.
