Subnautica 2 Developer Faceoff Escalates as Reinstated CEO's Legal Team Targets Krafton Over Early Access Leak
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Lawyers for Unknown Worlds' reinstated CEO are seeking contempt charges against Krafton, claiming the publisher bypassed leadership to leak a May early access release date for Subnautica 2 in violation of a recent court order.
The legal battle surrounding Subnautica 2 has taken another sharp turn. Lawyers representing Unknown Worlds' newly reinstated CEO, Ted Gill, are pushing for publisher Krafton to be held in contempt of court following an unauthorized announcement regarding the game's early access release. This latest flashpoint follows a Delaware judge's ruling that Krafton breached its equity purchase agreement by improperly terminating Gill and seizing control of the studio to avoid paying a massive bonus package.
Trouble began almost immediately after the court ordered Gill's reinstatement with full operational authority. A memo from Steve Papoutsis, the executive who temporarily replaced Gill, leaked to staff and various outlets confirming a May early access window for the survival sequel. Gill's legal team swiftly responded with serious concerns, arguing that the publisher intentionally leaked the timeline without consulting the reinstated leadership. They pointed out that Papoutsis lacked the legal authority to make such a declaration at the time.
For players eagerly waiting to dive back into the depths, this corporate drama threatens to overshadow the actual development of a beloved franchise. The friction between publisher timelines and studio leadership highlights the ongoing tension in modern game development, where high stakes financial disputes often spill over into community-facing milestones. As the legal teams head back to court, the actual impact on the May launch date remains to be seen. You can read the original reporting over at Eurogamer.
Tags: Subnautica 2, Krafton, Unknown Worlds, PC Gaming, Industry News
Original article: Eurogamer