Krafton countersues Unknown Worlds, asserting that Subnautica 2 posed a threat of significant damage to their entire franchise, similar to the potential harm Kerbal Space Program 2 supposedly inflicted.
The world of video game development has been abuzz with a significant legal dispute between Krafton, the publisher of popular titles like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, and Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the critically acclaimed underwater adventure game, Subnautica. The lawsuit, which has been making headlines, centres around the development of Subnautica 2 and the allegations that followed.
The Allegations and Counter-Allegations
The lawsuit involves several key allegations and counter-allegations regarding the development of Subnautica 2. Krafton alleges that the former heads of Unknown Worlds, Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill, abandoned their responsibilities soon after Krafton's acquisition of the studio. Their focus shifted to personal projects, leading to significant delays in Subnautica 2's development.
On the other hand, Unknown Worlds and Krafton claim that the former executives were eager to release Subnautica 2 prematurely to secure a potential $250 million bonus from Krafton. This was allegedly done despite the game not being ready for release. Unknown Worlds has also accused the former executives of downloading approximately 172,000 confidential files, including intellectual property and business records, upon learning they would be fired.
The former executives, however, have counter-claimed that Krafton breached the contract by delaying Subnautica 2's development and thus avoiding the payout. They argue that this was a breach of their operational control as agreed upon in the contract.
The Future of Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2 is not expected to be out until sometime in 2026. The legal dispute between Krafton and the former leadership of Unknown Worlds has shifted the focus from the legal dispute to the status of Subnautica 2's development and release. However, the article does not provide any new information about the progress or status of the negotiations between the parties involved.
The dispute will likely focus on contract terms, the state of the game at the time of the disagreements, and the actions of the former executives after their dismissal. The legal battle will likely take months, if not years, to conclude, with lawyers working on hammering out an agreement ahead of a trial.
The Impact on Unknown Worlds
Following their dismissal, Cleveland and McGuire "abandoned their roles as studio-wide game director and technical director to focus on their personal projects and quit making games for Unknown Worlds entirely." Gill remained as Unknown Worlds' president and CEO, but without the original creators, Subnautica 2 suffered serial developmental delays under his watch.
Krafton's statement reflects its commitment to protecting the Subnautica IP and the global community that has supported it for years. The company has filed a response to the lawsuit brought against it by the former heads of Subnautica studio Unknown Worlds, with the lawsuit accusing Krafton of delaying Subnautica 2 to avoid a payout to the former Unknown Worlds bosses.
In conclusion, the legal battle between Krafton and Unknown Worlds is a complex affair that has significant implications for the future of Subnautica 2. The game's fans will undoubtedly be hoping for a swift resolution that ensures the game's continued development and eventual release.
