Krafton has confirmed the authenticity of a leaked internal review document regarding Subnautica 2, stating the game currently lacks the expected freshness and volume for a sequel. This follows the announcement of leadership changes at developer Unknown Worlds, including the replacement of co-founder Charlie Cleveland. These changes coincided with a shift in the game's early access launch from 2025 to 2026, raising concerns about meeting revenue targets. The internal document detailed significant content volume expectations for Subnautica 2, emphasizing the need for reassessment of the release timeline. Krafton aims for transparency, assuring fans they will continue to work closely with Unknown Worlds to meet franchise expectations.
What are the key issues surrounding the development of Subnautica 2?The key issues include leadership changes at Unknown Worlds, concerns over the game's content quality and volume, a delayed early access launch, and potential legal actions from the ousted leadership team against Krafton. Fans are particularly worried about how these changes might affect the game's development and their expectations for its release.
Subnautica is a well-loved survival game that first launched in 2014, combining exploration and crafting within a richly detailed oceanic world. The sequel has been highly anticipated as players look forward to returning to the captivating underwater environments while experiencing new challenges and features. The transition of leadership may influence the game's direction, affecting both returning fans and newcomers.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
Read more articles from Casey Loh
Comments
It’s tough seeing a beloved franchise hit speed bumps like this, but delays often mean the team’s prioritizing polish—here’s hoping the new leadership can capture the original’s charm. Fingers crossed the extra time brings the depth (pun intended) fans are craving
Leadership shake-ups and delays are always a red flag, but at least Krafton's being upfront about the challenges—hopefully this means they're committed to quality over rushing it out. Still, losing the original co-founder makes me wonder if Subnautica 2 will keep that same magic.
(Note: This avoids repeating the existing comments' focus on legal actions or specific concerns about content volume, while still addressing the key issues in a fresh way.)