Krafton Blames Subnautica 2 Leads for Delay

The controversy surrounding Subnautica 2's delay has escalated dramatically, with publisher Krafton firing a major salvo in the ongoing battle with Unknown Worlds' former leadership. In an unusually stark public statement, Krafton explicitly blamed studio founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire for the game's delay, accusing them of neglecting their duties in favor of personal projects.

A Leadership Clash With Millions at Stake

Krafton's bombshell statement reveals explosive accusations against the original Subnautica creators. The publisher claims it repeatedly urged Cleveland and McGuire to refocus on Subnautica 2 after Moonbreaker's failure, only for Cleveland to allegedly prioritize his personal film project instead. What makes these allegations particularly charged is their timing - coming just months before a massive $250 million bonus payout tied to revenue targets would have kicked in.

The statement paints a picture of leadership chaos, with Krafton asserting the ex-directors' absence created "repeated confusion in direction" that derailed development. What was meant to be an early 2024 Early Access launch has now slipped to 2026, with Krafton insisting the current build lacks sufficient content.

Bonus Structure Sparks Outrage

Perhaps most controversially, Krafton disclosed that 90% of the $250 million bonus pool was earmarked for just three executives - Cleveland, McGuire and former CEO Ted Gill. This revelation has sparked anger among remaining staff and fans alike, especially following reports that rank-and-file developers were anticipating life-changing bonuses now in jeopardy.

The situation turned ugly when fans organized social media boycotts after Bloomberg reported Krafton's leadership shakeup occurred suspiciously close to the bonus payout date. Krafton maintains the delay stems purely from playtester feedback, but many aren't buying that explanation.

Now with former Striking Distance CEO Steve Papoutsis at the helm, the studio faces an uphill battle to regain trust. Cleveland's public "sting" comment suggests the ousted creators may have more to say, potentially setting the stage for further revelations as this corporate drama continues to unfold.