Overview

• Unknown Worlds and parent company Krafton officially pushed Subnautica 2’s early access launch into 2026 alongside a 90-second gameplay teaser showcasing new biomes, tools and story elements.
• Players and ousted studio founders argue that delaying the game will prevent the $250 million earn-out from Krafton’s 2021 acquisition deal from being triggered.
• In an internal town hall, new CEO Steve Papoutsis said he wasn’t aware of any financial incentive behind the postponement.
• Krafton maintains the decision was driven solely by quality and content enhancements identified during recent playtests.
• Community members have begun calling for boycotts and mass wishlist removals amid lingering distrust after the abrupt ouster of co-founders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire and Ted Gill.