Ex-Subnautica Devs Sue Krafton Over $250M Bonus Row

Subnautica 2's original creators Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, alongside former CEO Ted Gill, are taking legal action against Krafton in a contentious clash over a quarter-billion dollar bonus. In an emotional statement, Cleveland described recent developments as "explosive and surreal," promising fans they'd eventually get the complete picture.

Leadership Shakeup Sparks Controversy

The conflict stems from Krafton's 2021 acquisition of Unknown Worlds, which initially promised continued independent operation for the Subnautica studio. Last week's unexpected leadership change saw PUBG veteran Steve Papoutsis replacing the founding team "effective immediately." Cleveland responded bitterly to his abrupt dismissal, stating: "After building this company from scratch, being shut out like this cuts deep."

Tensions escalated when reports revealed Subnautica 2's delay to 2026 coincided with Krafton's upcoming $250 million bonus payout deadline. According to insiders, hitting certain 2025 revenue targets - now seemingly impossible with the delay - would have triggered the massive developer payout.

Dueling Narratives Emerge

Krafton maintains the delay stems purely from playtest feedback, unrelated to financial considerations. The publisher alleges it repeatedly asked Cleveland and McGuire to resume their director roles, but claims Cleveland prioritized a personal film project over Subnautica 2 development following Moonbreaker's disappointing performance.

"We structured 90% of the earn-out for the three executives specifically to incentivize their leadership on Subnautica 2," a Krafton spokesperson told IGN, framing the dispute as accountability for project delays rather than financial maneuvering.

Cleveland fired back, calling accusations of bonus-hoarding "completely false" while hinting at broader legal action. "Suing a corporate giant wasn't on my bucket list," the developer lamented, "but we owe the team - and fans - transparency. This talented crew has poured everything into making Subnautica 2 ready for Early Access."

Community Reacts With Mixed Emotions

The gaming community's response reflects the complexity of the situation. Some fans advocate for boycotting Subnautica 2, condemning Krafton's "predatory business tactics." Others express skepticism about both parties' motivations.

"Promising that bonus created a no-win scenario," observed one Reddit user. "When $250 million hangs in the balance, commercial pressures inevitably compromise creative decisions." Another drew parallels to Disco Elysium's messy studio fallout: "We're watching another ZA/UM-level disaster unfold."

With legal proceedings just beginning and no public response yet from Krafton regarding the lawsuit, the Subnautica community faces an uncertain wait before learning the truth behind these explosive allegations.