Bloody Hell, Krafton! Did the CEO Really Ask AI How to Dodge Subnautica 2 Dev Bonuses?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
A deep dive into alleged corporate shenanigans at Krafton, where the CEO reportedly asked AI to find ways to avoid paying Subnautica 2 dev bonuses, raising questions about corporate ethics and the 'AI-first' mantra. This tale of delayed releases, developer oustings, and missing ChatGPT logs is wilder than any deep-sea creature.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and fair dinkum, it's wilder than it first appeared. It's got everything: a beloved dev studio, a publisher with deep pockets, and allegedly, an AI trying to help dodge a bonus payout. You know that feeling when you try to cast a simple 'light' spell, and it accidentally conjures a fire-breathing chicken? Well, it seems Krafton's CEO might have tried a simple 'business strategy' spell that's now threatening to burn down the house.
This whole kerfuffle, originally reported by the excellent folks at Eurogamer, centres around Subnautica 2 – the highly anticipated sequel to one of the most beloved underwater survival games out there. The developers, Unknown Worlds, were acquired by Krafton (the big kahuna behind PUBG) a while back. And like many acquisitions, part of the deal involved earnout bonuses for the original leadership and the team, triggered by things like hitting revenue targets.
Now, these earnout agreements? They’re meant to be a win-win, mate. Devs get rewarded for making a cracking game, and the publisher gets a successful title. Simple, right? Apparently not for Krafton, according to a pre-trial brief filed by former Unknown Worlds leaders who've now found themselves in a bit of a legal tiff with their old bosses.
**The Plot Thickens: Delays, Oustings, and Whispers of Bonuses**
The drama started simmering when Krafton announced that Subnautica 2's early access debut, initially slated for this year, was getting pushed back to 2026. This, by itself, isn't always a bad thing – sometimes games just need more time in the oven. But what made my ears perk up (and my digital antennae twitch) was that this delay came hot on the heels of Krafton ousting several key members of Unknown Worlds’ leadership and development team. We're talking about folks like Charlie Cleveland, the game director on the original Subnautica. Bit of a coincidence, eh?
Krafton, naturally, offered the usual corporate line: the delay was due to 'feedback from playtests' highlighting areas needing 'further refinement.' They were quick to add that this had absolutely nothing to do with any reported bonus payouts. Sound familiar? It’s the kind of PR speak that makes you wonder if they think we just fell off a turnip truck. But Charlie Cleveland, bless his cotton socks, wasn't having any of it. After his dismissal, he took to Reddit, stating quite plainly that Subnautica 2 was, in fact, ready for its early access debut. This, understandably, sent a few ripples through the gaming community.
Then things escalated. Krafton accused the ousted employees of 'abandoning' the game – which, frankly, sounds like something a wizard would say when their apprentice accidentally turns themselves into a newt. The former Unknown Worlds heads responded by announcing legal action, and Krafton, with all the confidence of a dragon hoarding gold, simply said they 'look forward to defending itself in court.'
**Enter ChatGPT: The Unlikely Legal Advisor?**
And that, my friends, brings us to the latest, most utterly bonkers twist in this saga, as detailed in that pre-trial brief. According to the document, Krafton CEO Changham Kim was allegedly scrambling, desperate even, to find a way to avoid paying the earnout bonus. Why? Because he was 'concerned that Krafton had paid too much to acquire Unknown Worlds' already, and feared making any earnout payment would brand him as a 'pushover,' potentially endangering his CEO position. Bloody hell, mate. Corporate ego, am I right?
Here’s where it gets truly wild: the brief claims Kim turned to an AI tool, none other than ChatGPT, to 'brainstorm ways to avoid paying' the bonus. Let that sink in. A CEO, allegedly, asking an algorithm to find loopholes in a contract to avoid paying his developers. It's like asking a mischievous imp how to get out of your chores without your mum noticing. The irony is thicker than a double-chocolate fudge cake, especially considering Krafton only last October declared itself an 'AI-first company,' reorganizing to 'place AI at the centre of problem solving.' I reckon they probably didn't have *this* kind of problem-solving in mind.
The brief further alleges that even ChatGPT, the digital oracle, advised that it would be 'difficult to cancel the earnout' if sales targets were met. So, what was Krafton's alleged solution? Push Subnautica 2's early access release *outside* the earnout's designated window. Convenient, eh?
Oh, and a little footnote in the brief adds another layer of intrigue: Krafton apparently didn't provide these alleged ChatGPT conversations and, 'when pressed, confirmed that they no longer exist.' Poof! Gone like a spell that fizzled out. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
**The Deeper Implications: Beyond the Bonus**
This isn't just about a bonus, mate. It’s about trust, transparency, and the value placed on the creators who pour their heart and soul into making the games we love. When a publisher allegedly tries to skirt contractual obligations, it sends a chilling message across the entire industry. It’s the kind of thing that makes developers think twice about who they partner with, and it certainly doesn't foster a sense of goodwill in the community.
It also sparks a conversation about the ethical use of AI. If AI is going to be 'at the centre of problem solving,' what kinds of problems are we asking it to solve? And at what cost? PUBG creator Brendan Greene, who has distanced himself from Krafton's 'AI-first' mandate, recently told Bertie at Eurogamer that he's 'heartened' to see people push back against the use of generative AI in game creation. This latest allegation only adds fuel to that particular fire, raising questions about where the line is drawn when technology meets corporate ambition.
Ultimately, this legal battle will play out in court, and we’ll hopefully get a clearer picture of what truly transpired. But regardless of the outcome, this saga serves as a potent reminder for us curious gamers to always look beyond the glossy PR statements. Always question the 'why' behind the 'what.' Because sometimes, the real story is far more complex, and frankly, a whole lot more fascinating, than any corporate briefing could ever convey. Here's hoping the Unknown Worlds team gets the fair shake they deserve – and that Subnautica 2 still turns out to be an absolute banger, whenever it surfaces.
Tags: Gaming Industry, Subnautica, Krafton, Game Development, AI Ethics
Original article: Eurogamer