Subnautica 2 Developer Cleared for Launch After Judge Orders Krafton to Reinstate Fired CEO
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A Delaware judge has ordered Krafton to reinstate the fired CEO of Unknown Worlds Entertainment, paving the way for the development of Subnautica 2 to get back on track after a messy corporate dispute over payouts and early access delays.
The corporate drama surrounding Subnautica 2 has taken a dramatic turn in favor of the developers. A Delaware Chancery Court judge has ordered publisher Krafton to reinstate Ted Gill as the CEO of Unknown Worlds Entertainment, overturning a controversial firing that took place last July. Alongside the reinstatement of Gill, the court ruling protects other key leaders, including studio co-founder Max McGuire and director Charlie Cleveland, while extending a crucial bonus payout window to September. This legal victory follows a messy dispute where Krafton allegedly used generative AI tools to find loopholes to avoid a massive financial payout tied to revenue targets.
For players eagerly waiting to dive back into the alien oceans, the core issue has always been the game itself. Subnautica 2 was originally slated for an early access release in 2025, but the friction between the publisher and the studio pushed those plans into limbo. Krafton previously pointed to quality concerns as the reason for delays, but the development team pushed back publicly, arguing that the build was ready for players. With the court explicitly ruling that Krafton cannot obstruct Gill's authority over the early access launch, the path is finally clearing for the team to get the game into the hands of the community.
While corporate legal battles are rarely simple, this ruling serves as a vital win for studio autonomy against heavy-handed publishing mandates. Krafton has stated that it respectfully disagrees with the decision and is evaluating its options, meaning further litigation is likely on the horizon. Even so, the immediate return of leadership and the protection of the team's milestone timeline mean that Subnautica 2 might finally escape development hell. As reported by Polygon, the community can now keep a closer eye on when that long-awaited early access drop might actually happen.
Tags: Subnautica 2, Krafton, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, PC Gaming, Console Gaming
Original article: Polygon