Amid an more and more bitter row over a $250 million bonus, Krafton has now chosen to substantiate a leaked Subnautica 2 growth doc purportedly criticizing the highly-anticipated sequel is, in truth, actual.
However first, some context. Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in October 2021 and on the time, (*2*) the Subnautica studio would proceed to function as an impartial outfit. Final week, nonetheless, former Placing Distance CEO, Steve Papoutsis, joined Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds as CEO. The shock announcement confirmed that the earlier management staff — Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — had been changed “efficient instantly.” In a subsequent assertion, co-founder Cleveland responded to what he known as the “shock” choice to exchange the management staff, saying that “in spite of everything these years, to search out that I’m not in a position to work on the firm I began stings.” The assertion additionally intimated that whereas the previous management staff thought-about the sport prepared for early entry launch, Krafton didn’t.
Then, final week, stories got here to gentle that Subnautica 2 had been delayed to 2026 simply months earlier than Krafton was as a result of pay a $250 million bonus to the event staff. Bloomberg stated the delay was “towards the desires of the studio’s former management,” and that the $250 million bonus would have kicked in if Unknown Worlds hit sure income targets by the top of 2025. Now, with out Subnautica 2 popping out this 12 months, that bonus wouldn’t be paid out.
In an announcement to IGN, Krafton insisted the choice had nothing to do with “any contractual or monetary concerns.” As a substitute, Krafton claimed, the delay was about responding to suggestions from playtests, and delay talks had been already underneath dialogue earlier than Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill had been outed. Shortly after this assertion, the previous management staff revealed they had been submitting a lawsuit towards Krafton.
And now the drama continues, with the leak of an internal review document that shares a less-than-stellar mid-cycle overview. Quite than deny the leak, nonetheless, Krafton has authenticated it, saying: “Given these circumstances, Krafton has decided that clear communication is important and has chosen to substantiate the authenticity of the doc.”
The leaked photos themselves present two pages of a development review, and look like pictures of a PC monitor. They present the disconnect between the place Krafton anticipated growth to be versus the as-is place. Whereas we do not know who or which firm authored the report, it is clearly vital of Unknown Worlds, recommending Subnautica 2 ought to “launch with an MVP-level construct that permits gamers to expertise the core loop at a excessive degree of high quality,” however including that, because it at the moment stood, the sport “lacks the extent of polish and market influence required to drive IP development and growth.”
“It’s endorsed to reinforce the content material quantity and degree of polish earlier than launching in order that it could actually attraction to a broader market from the [early access] launch stage,” the report says. “Whereas the sport consists of a wide range of content material, it at the moment lacks the freshness and quantity anticipated of a sequel.
“As well as, it falls in need of assembly the excessive expectations of the OWSC and the Asian market.”
It’s at the moment unclear how the leaked doc started circulating publicly on-line.
“Krafton is issuing the next assertion in response to rising hypothesis surrounding the event of Subnautica 2,” Krafton stated in an announcement to Eurogamer. “This assertion goals to supply readability and context concerning the present scenario.
“The doc that has been circulating on social media and reported by numerous retailers is certainly a part of an inner milestone overview performed as a part of the Subnautica 2 challenge. Krafton has confirmed that parts of it have been leaked and at the moment are being extensively shared throughout on-line platforms and inside the fan neighborhood. Krafton recognises the confusion this has brought about.
“Given these circumstances, Krafton has decided that clear communication is important and has chosen to substantiate the authenticity of the doc,” the writer added. “Krafton believes that minimising hypothesis and making certain correct communication with gamers should take priority.
“Milestone critiques are performed recurrently in collaboration with Krafton’s artistic studios throughout all tasks. These critiques assist assess growth progress, outline clear targets, and be certain that every challenge aligns with Krafton’s requirements in each creativity and high quality. This course of is central to Krafton’s dedication to delivering polished, high-quality video games on the proper time.
“Krafton will proceed working intently with Unknown Worlds to make sure that Subnautica 2 meets the expectations of gamers who’ve supported the franchise over time,” the assertion concluded.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and marketing consultant with 15+ years expertise working with a few of the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.