There’s a lot of chatter in the gaming world right now, and it’s all about Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated underwater survival game, and its publisher, Krafton. The big news is that Subnautica 2, which was expected to launch in Early Access this year, has been pushed back to 2026.
This delay has sparked a lot of discussion, especially because it happened just before a massive $250 million payout was due to the game’s development team, Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
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Krafton Delays ‘Subnautica 2’ Amidst $250 Million Payout Questions
What is Subnautica 2?
For those unfamiliar, Subnautica is a beloved series where players explore a vast alien ocean, gather resources, build bases, and uncover mysterious stories. Subnautica 2 is the next big adventure in this universe, promising new planets, creatures, and even the exciting addition of multiplayer co-op for up to four players – a first for the series! It’s been one of the most wished-for games on Steam, showing just how eager fans are for it.
The Unexpected Delay and the Big Bonus
The delay of Subnautica 2 to 2026 is a significant change, as the game was reportedly “ready” for its 2025 Early Access launch, according to the former leaders of Unknown Worlds. These leaders, including co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill, were recently removed by Krafton. This move itself was a surprise to many.
The timing of this delay is what’s really catching people’s attention. Krafton had a deal in place to pay Unknown Worlds a hefty $250 million bonus if Subnautica 2 hit certain revenue targets by the end of 2025. With the game now delayed into 2026, it becomes very unlikely for those targets to be met this year, putting the large payout at risk.
Questions and Speculation
Naturally, this sequence of events has led to a lot of questions. Was the delay truly for “quality improvement” as Krafton’s new leadership claims, or was it a way to avoid paying the $250 million bonus?
The new CEO of Unknown Worlds, Steve Papoutsis (who previously led Striking Distance Studios), has stated that he’s “unaware” of the specific details of the bonus agreement and that the delay is aimed at delivering the “very best version” of Subnautica 2. However, many in the gaming community, and even some within the development team, are skeptical, pointing to the close timing of the leadership change and the delay with the looming payout.
The original leadership of Unknown Worlds had reportedly planned to share this large bonus with all of their roughly 100 employees, with some potentially receiving significant payouts. The delay could mean these hard-working developers might miss out on a substantial reward.
What Happens Next?
The situation is still unfolding. Fans are expressing their concern and even discussing boycotts to support the developers. This incident highlights the complex relationship between game publishers and developers, especially when large sums of money are involved.
Conclusion
For now, Subnautica 2 fans will have to wait longer to dive into the new underwater world. The hope is that, regardless of the reasons for the delay, the final game will be everything players hoped for, and that the development team behind it receives the recognition and compensation they deserve.
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