Subnautica 2 Developer Secures Payouts For All Staff After Legal Battle With Krafton
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Krafton has agreed to pay $250 million in bonuses to all Subnautica 2 staff following a legal dispute, while Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill departs the studio again.
Subnautica 2 has cemented its status as a major survival hit by racing past five million sales, but the game's success has been matched by serious corporate turbulence behind the scenes. Following a high stakes legal dispute, publisher Krafton has finally agreed to pay out promised bonuses to every staff member at developer Unknown Worlds. According to a report by Bloomberg originally covered by Eurogamer, the publisher was compelled to honor the $250 million payout after the sequel became an instant commercial smash on PC and Xbox.
This resolution follows a complex history stemming from Krafton's 2021 acquisition of the studio. While the initial buyout terms caused friction over earnout structures, the massive player adoption of Subnautica 2 ultimately forced a course correction. Alongside the new bonus agreement, which ensures even recently hired developers receive annual installment payouts and further incentives tied to future updates, Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill has stepped down for a second time. Gill stated that he and the studio mutually agreed to part ways, noting that fresh leadership is the best path forward while confirming that the team will ultimately receive significantly more compensation than the original acquisition terms outlined.
For players, this corporate restructuring hopefully brings stability to a team that clearly knows how to craft compelling underwater survival experiences. Subnautica 2 continues to pull in massive numbers despite launching day one on Game Pass, proving that the core formula remains as magnetic as ever. As Krafton looks to turn the franchise into a long term pillar, ensuring that the developers actually share in that financial upside is a vital step for the health of the community and the studio alike.
Tags: Subnautica 2, Krafton, Unknown Worlds, PC Gaming, Xbox
Original article: Eurogamer