Subnautica studio co-founder says he is suing mum or dad firm Krafton

The surrounding the considerably delayed launch of Subnautica 2 continues with Charlie Cleveland, co-founder and of Unknown Worlds Leisure, saying that he and unnamed others have filed a lawsuit towards , the studio’s mum or dad firm since 2021.

Cleveland, together with Ted Gill and Max McGuire, have been at Unknown Worlds final week by Krafton.  that that they had been successfully “pushed out.” This occurred shortly earlier than Krafton would reportedly owe Unknown Worlds management a $250 million bonus for assembly sure targets.

The alleged lawsuit follows Krafton’s accusing Cleveland and different studio management of “abandoning their tasks.” The mum or dad firm claims these executives’ conduct led to important delays in Subnautica 2 ‘s early entry launch, which is now slated for early 2026. Krafton additionally claimed that roughly 90 % of the $250 million bonus was already paid out to Cleveland, Gill and McGuire.

In , Cleveland strongly refuted Krafton’s claims, asserting that Subnautica 2 is in reality “prepared for early entry” and that any allegations concerning abdication of management and monetary motivations are false. “Subnautica has been my life’s work and I’d by no means willingly abandon it,” Cleveland wrote.

He additionally firmly denied accusations that he and different executives meant to maintain the promised $250 million bonus for themselves, saying, “I’m on this business as a result of I find it irresistible, not for riches. Traditionally we’ve all the time shared our earnings with the staff and did the identical after we bought the studio. You could be damned positive we’ll proceed with the earnout/bonus as effectively.”

Particulars in regards to the lawsuit, together with the jurisdiction, named events or particular causes of motion stay unclear. Subnautica 2 remains to be slated for an early entry launch someday in 2026, although it stays to be seen if this new authorized drama will trigger additional delays.