Subnautica 2 Put Off to 2026 Amid Rising Trouble
Krafton, the big name behind Unknown Worlds, the maker of the game, has said the coming-out of Subnautica 2 may now happen in 2026, not 2025. This news from Bloomberg follows the quick kick-out of the studio's first leaders and is said to tie to a big cash bonus for the team.
The $250 Million Bonus Story
The words say that the Unknown Worlds team would get a $250 million bonus if they hit cash goals by the end of 2025. Getting Subnautica 2 out this year would help reach those aims. Now, the team thinks the put-off may make them miss them and lose the bonus.
Big Names of the Studio Left Quickly
This news hit right after the exit of Unknown Worlds' first heads Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire. Steve Papoutsis from Striking Distance Studios took their place. Krafton said nothing of why they left but shared, "There's nothing more key than the player's feel. As we wait for Subnautica 2, we must give back only the best."
Founders Didn't Want the Game Late
Bloomberg said the first heads didn't want to delay. On Subnautica's Reddit, Charlie Cleveland said he was shocked, noting, "this week has been a jolt. We know the game's set for early play and you want it… Krafton has the last word, though."
Krafton’s Talk and Town Hall
In a big talk with the Unknown Worlds folks, new boss Steve Papoutsis said Krafton felt Subnautica 2 wasn't ready and needed more stuff, thus the 2026 wait. When asked if the late was to skip the $250 million bonus pay, Papoutsis said, "It's a smart ask, and I need you to hang on about this," adding the deal's tiny bits were "out of my reach at this time."
He also said no one told him the shift was "to hit any earnout or such."
More on the Buy
Krafton, also the maker of PUBG, bought Unknown Worlds in 2021 for what's now said to be $500 million. They made known Subnautica 2 in October 2024 for a 2025 start, aiming at Xbox Game Pass launch.