Subnautica Studio Co-founder Says He's Suing Parent Company Krafton

The drama surrounding nan importantly delayed merchandise of Subnautica 2 continues pinch Charlie Cleveland, co-founder and former director of Unknown Worlds Entertainment, announcing via a station connected X that he and unnamed others person revenge a suit against Krafton, nan studio's genitor institution since 2021.

Cleveland, on pinch Ted Gill and Max McGuire, were relieved of their activity roles astatine Unknown Worlds past week by Krafton. Bloomberg reported that they had been efficaciously "pushed out." This occurred soon earlier Krafton would reportedly beryllium Unknown Worlds activity a $250 cardinal prize for gathering definite goals.

The alleged suit follows Krafton's recent statement accusing Cleveland and different workplace activity of "abandoning their responsibilities." The genitor institution claims these executives' behaviour led to important delays successful Subnautica 2 's early entree release, which is now slated for early 2026. Krafton besides claimed that astir 90 percent of nan $250 cardinal prize was already paid retired to Cleveland, Gill and McGuire.

In his post, Cleveland powerfully refuted Krafton's claims, asserting that Subnautica 2 is successful truth "ready for early access" and that immoderate allegations regarding abdication of activity and financial motivations are false. "Subnautica has been my life’s activity and I would ne'er willingly wantonness it," Cleveland wrote.

He besides firmly denied accusations that he and different executives intended to support nan promised $250 cardinal prize for themselves, saying, "I’m successful this manufacture because I emotion it, not for riches. Historically we’ve ever shared our profits pinch nan squad and did nan aforesaid erstwhile we sold nan studio. You tin beryllium damned judge we’ll proceed pinch nan earnout/bonus arsenic well."

Details astir nan lawsuit, including nan jurisdiction, named parties aliases circumstantial causes of action stay unclear. Subnautica 2 is still slated for an early entree motorboat sometime successful 2026, though it remains to beryllium seen if this caller ineligible play will origin further delays.