The ongoing litigation concerning Subnautica 2 unfolds with revelations from the lawsuit filed by former studio head Charlie Cleveland and his team against Krafton. They assert that the publisher intentionally obstructed development to evade a potential $250 million bonus. After Krafton's announcement of their departure, claims emerged that the leadership team was pushed out, contradicting Krafton’s narrative that they were simply focusing on other opportunities. Cleveland's lawsuit indicates he was responding to a request to develop a Subnautica movie instead of neglecting game duties. The situation escalated as Krafton sought to delay Subnautica 2's release in early 2025, amidst escalating revenue projections following successful mobile and Switch 2 launches for the franchise. Cleveland and his colleagues are pursuing damages, claiming their termination was unjust, especially as Subnautica 2 had reportedly performed well in pre-release testing.

What is causing the delay in Subnautica 2's release?

The delay in Subnautica 2's release is attributed to Krafton’s alleged actions to hinder its development, primarily to avoid paying out a substantial bonus to the leadership team. Despite claims of poor progress, pre-release tests reportedly confirmed the game's readiness to meet high expectations.

Subnautica is a well-known survival and exploration game that captivates players with its immersive underwater environment. Initially released in 2018, the franchise has garnered a dedicated following. Subnautica 2, officially titled "Take a Deep Breath," aims to expand upon its predecessor's success by introducing new gameplay elements while enhancing the underwater exploration experience that fans love.