Subnautica 2 Legal Battle Ends: Krafton to Pay Dev Bonuses, CEO Steps Down

The long-running legal dispute between Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton and Unknown Worlds' founders has finally reached its conclusion, with Krafton agreeing to pay bonuses to every member of the development studio. The settlement brings an end to a year-long court battle that began after Krafton attempted to withhold the bonuses, prompting the founders to take legal action. The resolution marks a significant win for the developers at Unknown Worlds, who fought to secure the compensation they were owed.

In a twist that underscores just how contentious the relationship had become, reinstated Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill wasted little time after the settlement was reached — stepping down from the role almost immediately following the agreement. Gill had previously been removed during the dispute, only to be reinstated as part of the legal proceedings, before ultimately departing once the matter was resolved. Meanwhile, Subnautica 2 itself has been a runaway commercial success, with over four million players diving into its underwater survival gameplay since launch, making it one of 2026's most talked-about titles regardless of the boardroom turmoil surrounding its development.

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