Subnautica 2 undergoes turbulent publisher transition and legal battle

Development on Subnautica 2 has taken a major turn, with Unknown Worlds Entertainment now taking over self-publishing for the game. The decision comes after a complex legal battle with Krafton, the current owner of Unknown Worlds. Under CEO Ted Gill, Unknown Worlds filed a lawsuit against Krafton, which led to a court ruling that Gill and his team were wrongfully dismissed.

The legal battle

The legal issues between Unknown Worlds and Krafton began in July 2025, when Krafton fired the studio’s leadership, including Gill, and development on Subnautica 2 was delayed. The dismissal was later challenged in court. Former studio founders, including Charlie Cleveland, have said Krafton tried to avoid a $250 million bonus tied to Subnautica 2’s development by removing them.

Court ruling

On April 14, 2026, the case ended with a court ruling in Unknown Worlds’ favor. The judge ordered that Ted Gill be reinstated as CEO of the company. Krafton has since said it disagrees with the ruling, but that it will continue working with Unknown Worlds. Despite the complications, Unknown Worlds now appears to be moving in a new direction for Subnautica 2.

Publishing changes

On April 7, 2026, it was reported that Krafton was no longer listed as the publisher of Subnautica 2 on Steam and the Epic Games Store. This followed a period in which the game’s status and Krafton’s involvement were under scrutiny. Instead, both responsibilities are now attributed to Unknown Worlds Entertainment, which is now self-publishing the game. However, it remains unclear what the future holds for Subnautica 2, as earlier plans for early access in May 2026 are still up in the air.

The uncertain future of Subnautica 2, marked by legal disputes and shifting publishing plans, has kept the community on edge. Players have already shown strong interest by wishlisting the game on Steam, offering a positive sign of support for Unknown Worlds during a difficult period.

With early access planned and multiple biomes and creatures to discover, Subnautica 2 remains a promising title for players despite the turbulent circumstances surrounding its development. It remains to be seen how the relationship between Unknown Worlds and Krafton will evolve, and what impact that will have on the game’s final release.