Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed underwater survival game, appears to be on track for an Early Access launch on PC and Xbox this May. While a specific release date has yet to be announced, this news emerges after a year marked by significant legal and corporate challenges for developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
This development follows a recent court ruling that mandated the re-employment of former Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, adding another layer to a complex saga. The legal dispute originates from Krafton’s 2021 acquisition of Unknown Worlds, which included a potential payout of up to $250 million contingent on the studio meeting specific performance metrics by the end of 2025. The situation escalated in July of that year when Krafton dismissed several studio leaders and subsequently delayed the sequel’s Early Access debut. The ongoing court case has brought to light conflicting interests concerning this substantial financial incentive.
Following yesterday’s ruling, a representative from Krafton stated that the company is “evaluating our options as we determine our path forward.” It remains uncertain whether ongoing litigation or Krafton’s strategic response will impact the planned May Early Access release for Subnautica 2.
