Subnautica 2 Drama Explodes: Lawsuits, Delays & A $250M Bonus War

Subnautica 2 is diving deep into controversy. Once seen as the next big underwater survival hit, the title is now entangled in corporate chaos, lawsuits, and a bitter bonus dispute between the developers and publisher Krafton.

What’s Going On?

Unknown Worlds is suing Krafton for allegedly sabotaging Subnautica 2’s release to avoid a $250 million bonus payout.
Krafton delayed the Early Access launch to 2026 and removed key developers from leadership roles.
The publisher denies wrongdoing and claims the delays are due to quality concerns.

The Legal Showdown

The lawsuit from the former leads of Unknown Worlds alleges Krafton actively derailed the game’s release, cancelled PR campaigns, and blocked progress. The goal? To invalidate the devs’ performance bonus. Krafton, however, insists the team failed to deliver on expectations and “abandoned responsibilities.”

A Divided Fanbase

Players are not taking this lightly. Reddit and forums are ablaze with calls for a boycott. Some claim the game was “early access-ready” months ago. Meanwhile, the new leadership team urges fans to stay calm—though trust has clearly taken a hit.

What This Means for Subnautica 2

Uncertain Early Access: Delayed to 2026, content scope remains unclear.
Creative Control at Risk: Krafton’s influence may alter the game’s original vision.
Legal Fallout: The lawsuit’s outcome could impact future publisher-developer relations.

Final Thoughts

Subnautica 2 isn’t just about diving anymore—it’s about survival in the shark-infested waters of corporate politics. Whether it emerges as a polished gem or sinks under legal pressure, one thing is certain: the community is watching.