Subnautica 2 Lawsuit Gets Muddled As Justification For Firing Studio Founders Is Changed

Here is a 200-word summary of the news article: The Subnautica 2 development has been overshadowed by a legal dispute between publisher Krafton and the former leadership team at the game's studio, Unknown Worlds. The founders - Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill - were forced out of the studio and subsequently filed a lawsuit against Krafton. The lawsuit claims Krafton is attempting to avoid paying the leadership team a $250 million performance bonus. Krafton initially asserted that the founders intended to release Subnautica 2 in early access before the game was ready, in order to secure the bonus. However, Krafton has since withdrawn this claim as the founders' lawyers requested proof, which Krafton could not provide. Krafton now maintains the founders shirked their responsibilities and kept confidential information, which it claims retroactively justifies their termination. The founders' lawyers argue Krafton has not been cooperating during the discovery process. The case has sparked a public backlash, with fans calling for a Subnautica 2 boycott. In response, Krafton has extended the bonus period to allow the Unknown Worlds team a better chance of earning $25 million, with the remaining $225 million intended for the former leadership team. Subnautica 2 is now expected to hit early access in 2026 on PC and Xbox Series X|S.