Controversy surrounds Subnautica 2`s development following the reported departure of Unknown Worlds studio co-founders Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and former CEO Ted Gill. Allegedly, they were forced out by the parent company, Krafton. A key point of contention reportedly involved whether Subnautica 2 was genuinely ready for an early access release.
Amidst this backdrop, a negative internal review concerning the state of Subnautica 2 was leaked online. Krafton has since confirmed that the document is authentic.
The leaked document, which was shared on a Subnautica 2 fan forum, critiques the game`s build as of May 2025. It indicates a lack of several features initially planned for an early access launch. Specifically, the review mentions approximately six hours of content being cut, the removal of a game mode, two fewer biomes than intended, a missing leviathan creature and vehicle, and a delay in the game`s narrative progression. The report concluded that the game had not met the objectives set in 2023 and recommended a reassessment of the release schedule and content plan. Following this, Krafton announced a delay for Subnautica 2, alongside releasing a new trailer.
A Krafton spokesperson addressed the leak, stating, “Milestone reviews are conducted regularly in collaboration with Krafton’s creative studios across all projects.” They explained that these reviews are designed to “assess development progress, define clear objectives, and ensure that each project aligns with Krafton’s standards in both creativity and quality.” This process, they added, is central to Krafton`s commitment to delivering polished, high-quality games at the right time.
A separate report from Bloomberg suggested that the delay of Subnautica 2 might be connected to a significant $250 million bonus reportedly due to Unknown Worlds if certain financial thresholds were achieved in 2025. Since these targets are unlikely to be met without the game`s release, the situation has led some fans to advocate for a boycott. In response, Krafton issued a strong statement criticizing the former leadership team at Unknown Worlds, accusing them of abandoning their responsibilities for the sequel`s development.
In a further development, Charlie Cleveland has announced his intention to file a lawsuit against Krafton, joined by Max McGuire and Ted Gill. This legal battle is anticipated to take several years to resolve. In the meantime, the expected release window for Subnautica 2 on PC and Xbox Series X|S has been pushed back to 2026.