South Korean game publisher Krafton said on Saturday its recent decisions regarding the development of Subnautica 2 were made to protect the interests of game fans and ensure the long-term success of the franchise, as the company faces a legal dispute with the former leadership of its U.S. development subsidiary Unknown Worlds.“Releasing the game prematurely with insufficient content, falling short of what fans expect in a sequel, would have both disappointed the players — who are at the heart of everything Krafton does — and damaged the reputations of both the Subnautica and Unknown Worlds brands,” the company said in a statement.
It added that the decisions were “made to ensure Subnautica 2 is the best possible game and lives up to fan expectations, reports Yonhap news agency.
The statement came amid an ongoing high-profile legal dispute with the former leadership of Unknown Worlds.
Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in October 2021 in a deal aimed at diversifying its portfolio beyond its flagship PUBG shooter franchise. At the time, the company highlighted the studio’s strong intellectual properties and reputation for globally appealing, community-driven gameplay experiences.
Earlier this month, however, Krafton removed Unknown Worlds co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, along with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ted Gill, citing a lack of leadership and delays in the development of Subnautica 2.
In response, the former Unknown Worlds leaders have filed a lawsuit against Krafton, alleging breach of contract. They alleged that Krafton sought to avoid issuing a US$250 million bonus payment by delaying the game using “pressure tactics.”