Subnautica 2 delayed to 2026 – to avoid paying out a huge bonus?

Last week, the bombshell exploded: the management of the Subnautica studio Unknown Worlds is disappearing and being replaced by Krafton – who in turn claims that they wanted to keep the management trio. "A shock" said one of the three affected members of the management, but also that "we know that the game is ready for early access release".

Now we get new news: the release is delayed until 2026.

Krafton claims that the postponement is about feedback after player tests – but is that the whole truth? According to Bloomberg (paywall), a bonus of $ 250 million would be activated from Krafton to Unknown Worlds if a certain goal was reached before the end of 2025. This is according to an agreement Bloomberg has seen. It is said to have been concluded in 2021, in connection with Krafton's acquisition.

The decision to postpone the game was made in connection with the management being forced out, anonymous sources claim. The management was against the delay, which according to reports planned to share the bonus with the approximately 100 employees. By postponing the launch, it is, according to the sources, very doubtful whether the revenue targets will be met – and thus whether the bonus will take effect.

Krafton denies allegations

Krafton, for its part, claims that the decision to delay has nothing to do with "contractual or financial considerations". Words stand for words.

The management that disappeared consists of former CEO Ted Gill, technical director Max McGuire and creative director Charlie Cleveland. It is Cleveland, who is also one of the founders, who recently said that the game is ready for early access.

Words that take on a different meaning today when Krafton, for its part, believes that the game is not ready.

Anyway: the game will be released in 2026 in early access. A new gameplay teaser has been released, announcing the new release window. Comments on YouTube include: "Give the team their $250 million" and "Are you sure whatever you're doing is worth it?"

The community is venting its frustration, and it remains to be seen how this story unfolds.