Subnautica 2 launched into Early Access on May 14, 2026 – but the story behind that launch is arguably more dramatic than anything lurking in its alien oceans. The most wishlisted upcoming game on Steam arrived following nearly a year of corporate warfare between publisher Krafton and developer Unknown Worlds, including firings, a lawsuit, a court-ordered reinstatement, and a release date announcement the studio’s own CEO says he never approved.
The Firings – and the $250 Million Question
In July 2025, Krafton announced it had removed Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill along with studio co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, replacing them with Steve Papoutsis. The move raised immediate red flags in the industry: a subsequent lawsuit revealed that the dismissals came just months before Krafton was contractually obligated to pay the original team a bonus of up to $250 million, tied to revenue milestones in the Equity Purchase Agreement.
The timing was difficult to ignore. Cleveland and McGuire, who created the original Subnautica and built Unknown Worlds from the ground up, found themselves locked out of their own studio just as the sequel was nearing its biggest commercial moment.
The Court Steps In
In March 2026, a judge ruled in favour of the ousted team. The court found that Krafton had “breached the EPA by terminating the key employees without valid cause and by improperly seizing operational control of Unknown Worlds,” and ordered Gill reinstated as CEO. It was a significant win – but it didn’t end the tension.
Just days after Gill’s reinstatement, the May 14th Early Access release date was announced publicly. Gill later stated that the announcement was made by Krafton without his knowledge or approval. So even after winning in court, the CEO of Unknown Worlds was apparently not in the loop on a major milestone for his own game.
The Game Itself
Despite everything, Subnautica 2 launched on schedule and arrived to a player base that had been waiting years for it. The game entered Early Access on PC and Xbox Series X/S, with a survival loop set on a new alien ocean world. It supports co-op play for the first time, a major addition over the solo-only experience of the original games.
The game had accumulated 3.8 million Steam wishlists ahead of launch, making it the most anticipated upcoming title on the platform. Whether Krafton and Unknown Worlds can continue working together – or whether legal proceedings will drag on – remains to be seen. But for now, the game is out and players are diving in.
Subnautica 2 is available now in Early Access on Steam and Xbox Series X/S.
