Subnautica 2, one of the most eagerly awaited games on Steam, has been officially delayed from its planned 2025 Early Access release to 2026, stirring controversy and speculation about the reasons behind the postponement. The delay comes just months before the South Korean publisher Krafton was due to pay the developer, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, a staggering $250 million bonus tied to revenue targets linked to the game's launch.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the gaming community and industry insiders alike, not least because it coincided with the abrupt firing of Unknown Worlds’ key leadership team. On July 3, 2025, Krafton removed the studio’s co-founders—Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire—and CEO Ted Gill, replacing them with Steve Papoutsis, former CEO of Krafton’s Striking Distance Studios. This leadership upheaval has only deepened the mystery surrounding the delay.
According to a detailed Bloomberg report, the $250 million bonus was contingent on Unknown Worlds hitting specific revenue goals by the end of 2025. The early access release of Subnautica 2 was expected to be a major factor in achieving those targets. With the game now postponed to 2026, it appears increasingly unlikely that the studio will meet these financial benchmarks, effectively putting that massive payout out of reach.
Notably, the ousted founders publicly expressed their opposition to the delay. Charlie Cleveland, who directed the original Subnautica, took to Reddit shortly after his dismissal to share his dismay and assert that the game was ready for early access. He wrote, “We know that the game is ready for early access release and we know you’re ready to play it. And while we thought this was going to be our decision to make, at least for now, that decision is in Krafton’s hands. And after all these years, to find that I’m no longer able to work at the company I started stings.”
The timing of the leadership shakeup and the delay has prompted some fans to call for a boycott or to remove Subnautica 2 from their Steam wishlists, concerned about the future direction of the beloved franchise. The leadership team had reportedly planned to distribute the bonus among roughly 100 employees, with some developers potentially receiving six or even seven-figure sums. Losing that payout is a significant blow to the studio’s workforce.
In response to the backlash and speculation, Krafton and Unknown Worlds issued statements emphasizing the decision was driven by a commitment to quality and community feedback. Krafton explained that playtests revealed areas needing improvement before the game’s Early Access debut. “Our community is at the heart of how we develop, so we want to give ourselves a little extra time to respond to more of that feedback before releasing the game into Early Access,” a Krafton spokesperson said.
Furthermore, Krafton denied that contractual or financial considerations influenced the delay. A spokesperson stressed, “This decision was based solely on our commitment to quality and to delivering the best possible experience for players. It was not influenced by any contractual or financial considerations. Additionally, the decision had already been under discussion prior to recent leadership changes at the studio.”
Steve Papoutsis, the new CEO, addressed the situation during a company-wide town hall meeting. When asked whether the delay was intended to avoid paying the bonus, he said, “It’s never been told to me that we’re making this change specifically to impact any earnout or anything like that.” He acknowledged the software was in a good state but suggested the parties did not align on the timing of the launch. Papoutsis also mentioned that the game would benefit from additional time to add more biomes, vehicle upgrades, tools, and creatures, as well as to expand the story.
Unknown Worlds echoed this sentiment, highlighting positive community feedback during playtests but also noting the need for improvements before launch. They said, “The community was responding well to the environment, creatures, and story, and felt positive about the general direction of the game. It gave us a great indication that we’re swimming in the right direction.”
Despite these reassurances, the removal of the studio’s founding leaders and the delay has left many fans uneasy. The original Subnautica, released in 2018, is widely regarded as a landmark survival game, beloved for its immersive underwater world and compelling narrative. The sequel has been one of the most wishlisted games on Steam, with high expectations from its dedicated fanbase.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics between creative teams and corporate publishers in the gaming industry, especially when lucrative contracts and bonuses are at stake. Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in 2021, and the purchase agreement included the substantial bonus tied to revenue milestones. The sudden leadership changes and release postponement have raised questions about corporate decision-making and its impact on developers and fans alike.
As of now, Krafton has not announced a specific release date for Subnautica 2 in 2026. The developer promises further updates, including a delayed developer vlog, to keep the community informed. For many, the hope remains that the extra time will result in a polished and expanded underwater adventure worthy of the franchise’s legacy.
