A Delaware Court of Chancery ruling in March 2026 found Krafton in breach of contract for firing Unknown Worlds' executive team to avoid paying performance-based bonuses.
The court ordered the reinstatement of the original Unknown Worlds leadership, including CEO Ted Gill, to restore their authority over the studio.
Unknown Worlds' leadership has filed motions to hold Krafton in contempt, alleging the publisher unilaterally announced a May 2026 early access release for Subnautica 2 without authorization.
The dispute centers on control over the game's launch strategy, as the reinstated executives argue Krafton’s actions undermined their management of marketing and community coordination.
Subnautica 2 is currently the most-wishlisted game on Steam, with up to $250 million in performance-based bonuses tied to its commercial success.
As of mid-March 2026, the court has not yet issued a final implementing order to resolve the governance standoff between Krafton and the studio's leadership.
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