Krafton Appoints New CEO for Subnautica 2 to Enhance Development Drive

Steve Papoutsis, formerly of Striking Distance, joins Unknown Worlds as CEO of Subnautica 2, replacing Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire, who have left their roles "effective immediately."

Krafton, the owner of Unknown Worlds and creator of PUBG, did not elaborate on the reasons for the leadership overhaul but expressed a desire to maintain ties with Unknown Worlds' co-founders and Subnautica creators, wishing them success in their future ventures.

Krafton emphasized that Papoutsis will focus on sustaining development momentum and delivering an exceptional fan experience, bringing fresh energy to the project. The impact of this change on the game’s release timeline remains uncertain.

Cleveland and McGuire, who co-founded the 24-year-old studio, and Gill, who became president nearly seven years ago before his CEO appointment in August 2024, still list Unknown Worlds as their employer on LinkedIn, indicating the transition was abrupt.

"Our top priority is the player experience. With the excitement surrounding Subnautica 2, we are committed to delivering the best game possible as soon as we can," said CH Kim, Krafton’s CEO.

"We’re excited to have Steve join our shared mission at Krafton and Unknown Worlds to make Subnautica 2 a more polished and fulfilling chapter in the series, meeting the high expectations of our players."

Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in October 2021, stating at the time that the Subnautica studio would remain independent.

The upcoming Subnautica title supports up to four players and introduces a new planet with unique environments, flora, and fauna to explore. While a release date is still unconfirmed, the game is slated for a 2025 launch on PC and Xbox Series X and S, available via Game Pass for premium subscribers.

We found the original Subnautica exceptional, giving it a 9.1, noting: "Subnautica is a survival game with a compelling sci-fi narrative, but its true strength lies in its gripping underwater horror." Its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, also earned a stellar nine out of ten in its IGN review.