Subnautica 2: Krafton Announces Early Access Despite Legal Battle with Devs

The ongoing legal battle between the creators of Subnautica and its parent company, Krafton, took another turn this week as lawyers for reinstated CEO Ted Gill, and founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, allege that Krafton’s recent announcement of an early access release date for Subnautica 2 was potentially “damaging” to the game and created confusion within the community. The dispute centers on whether Krafton acted independently, and prematurely, in setting a release window without consulting the reinstated leadership.

The legal team filed a complaint with the court, as reported by GameSpot, arguing that the announcement lacked the “significant marketing activity, fanfare, and community coordination” typically associated with such news. This comes after a Delaware judge ordered Krafton to reinstate Ted Gill following a ruling that found the company sought a pretext to avoid paying bonuses to studio leads.

A Court Order and a Contentious Announcement

The core of the conflict stems from events in 2025, when Krafton fired top officers at Unknown Worlds, including Gill, ahead of Subnautica 2’s planned early access release. Krafton cited reasons like incompetence and theft of trade secrets, claims the studio leads refuted, alleging Krafton was attempting to avoid bonus payments. Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will of the Delaware Court of Chancery sided with the Unknown Worlds founders, finding Krafton was attempting to circumvent its financial obligations. As MassivelyOP detailed, the judge’s statements were critical of Krafton’s behavior, stating the company “went searching for a pretext” and would not be permitted to fabricate cause for termination.

The recent early access announcement, set for May, was made by Unknown Worlds studio head Steve Papoutsis. However, Gill’s legal team argues Papoutsis lacked the authority to do so, as the announcement came after Gill’s reinstatement. Further, the filing suggests Krafton purposefully leaked the memo regarding the release date and then confirmed it, defying the earlier court order. This sequence of events has fueled concerns about Krafton’s intentions and its respect for the court’s ruling.

The ChatGPT Factor and Krafton’s Strategy

The case has gained unusual attention due to the revelation that Krafton CEO Changhan Kim reportedly used ChatGPT to formulate a plan to accept over Unknown Worlds. The Delaware judge specifically referenced ChatGPT logs in her ruling, suggesting the AI platform was intentionally used to strategize the takeover. This detail has raised questions about the ethical implications of using AI in corporate decision-making, particularly in sensitive legal matters.

What’s at Stake for Subnautica 2 and its Community?

Subnautica, released in 2018, garnered a dedicated following for its immersive underwater exploration and survival gameplay. The original game, developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, was a critical and commercial success, paving the way for the highly anticipated sequel. The first game sold over 5 million copies as of 2021, according to PC Gamer. The community’s enthusiasm for Subnautica 2 is substantial, and the legal turmoil surrounding its development has understandably caused anxiety among fans. The concern now is whether the rushed announcement of an early access date will negatively impact the game’s quality or create unrealistic expectations.

The legal team’s argument that the announcement was damaging centers on the idea that a properly coordinated release would involve extensive marketing and community engagement. Without these elements, they fear the game may be launched prematurely or receive a lukewarm reception. The potential for confusion within the community is too a key concern, as fans may be unsure of the game’s current state and development timeline.

Krafton’s Response and Ongoing Litigation

Krafton has publicly stated that it “respectfully disagrees” with the chancellor’s decision, as reported by GameSpot. The company maintains that the ruling does not resolve the former executives’ claim for damages or an earnout related to Subnautica 2, and that further litigation is still pending. This suggests that the legal battle is far from over, and the future of Subnautica 2 remains uncertain.

What’s Next for the Legal Dispute?

The immediate future involves continued litigation regarding damages and the earnout agreement. The court will likely address the concerns raised about the early access announcement and whether Krafton violated the spirit of the reinstatement order. The judge’s scrutiny of Krafton’s actions, particularly the use of ChatGPT, suggests a willingness to hold the company accountable for its behavior. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the relationship between parent companies and their acquired studios, as well as the use of AI in corporate strategy.