In an unexpected turn of events, the gaming world finds itself abuzz with controversy surrounding the eagerly anticipated Subnautica 2. Fans of the underwater adventure have been on tenterhooks since Krafton took over Unknown Worlds in October 2021. After a tantalizing teaser in October 2024, anticipation grew even more when Design Lead Anthony Gallegos announced this April that the game was gearing towards early access.
However, the excitement turned to frustration when Krafton unexpectedly dismissed Unknown Worlds’ original co-founders, Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire, without providing a clear reason. Adding fuel to the fire, Cleveland revealed on Reddit that Subnautica 2 was indeed ready for early access, despite these layoffs. Yet, Krafton announced a delay in early access until 2026, citing the need for additional content.
What’s stirring the pot further is the revelation that developers were poised to receive a $250 million bonus if the game met certain revenue goals by the end of the year. This sparked suspicions that the delay might be a tactic to withhold these bonuses, leading to a growing movement on Reddit urging fans to boycott Subnautica 2.
The call for a boycott has sparked a mixed bag of reactions. Some supporters see it as a necessary stand, while others feel it might not impact Krafton significantly, given the likelihood of many gamers purchasing the title regardless. Another camp suggests waiting a couple of years until the game becomes available at a discounted rate, while some propose removing the game from Steam wishlists as a symbolic gesture.
As of now, Krafton has yet to provide a specific release date for early access, leaving the gaming community in suspense about the game’s current development stage. The situation continues to unfold, leaving fans and industry watchers alike waiting to see how this drama will play out.
