Krafton säger att Subnautica 2-förseningen bevisar att de hanterar saker rätt

Krafton says the delay of Subnautica 2 is actually proof of good management, not the disaster some critics think it is. The company insists it made a calculated call based on a strict internal review process. Despite online backlash, legal disputes, and major leadership changes at developer Unknown Worlds, Krafton claims its decisions are about ensuring quality and player satisfaction.

In a recent investor Q&A, Krafton CFO Dongkeun Bae pushed back against the idea that the project is being mismanaged. He admitted that the “talk about legal proceedings” could give that impression, but made it clear that the company sees the delay as part of a responsible process. According to him, Krafton’s internal development pipeline is not only intact but is being “rigorously managed.”

“The actions that we have taken on Subnautica 2 actually represent that things are effectively being managed inside Krafton when it comes to milestone management.”

Bae emphasized that Subnautica is already a well-known IP with a dedicated fan base, and he believes that with proper marketing and a solid release, the game will still sell well. He doubled down on Krafton’s decision to delay the title into 2026, stating the project simply wasn’t meeting their internal standards.

“We want to make sure that we satisfy the highest level of satisfaction that the gamers have.”

This new defense comes after weeks of controversy. Earlier this month, Krafton officially delayed Subnautica 2’s early access release to 2026. The announcement followed major leadership changes at Unknown Worlds, where key figures like Charlie Cleveland—creator of the Subnautica series—were dismissed. Krafton claimed this move was unrelated to the delay and that feedback from internal playtests highlighted areas needing more polish.

However, the situation quickly escalated. Cleveland responded publicly on Reddit, saying he was “shocked” by the company’s actions and claimed that Subnautica 2 was ready for early access. Along with other ousted team members, he launched legal action against Krafton. This chain of events sparked wider scrutiny of the publisher’s role in the game’s direction and delay, especially when Krafton then accused the former team of abandoning the project, statements that now have to be resolved in court.

This story has developed into something much larger than a simple delay. From the public firing of creative leads to serious accusations and legal conflict, the sequel has entered a very public meltdown phase. Krafton insists all this shows strong project oversight, but not everyone agrees. Many fans are still echoing the concerns from Subnautica 2’s content cuts, which have been linked to the longer timeline.

Bae’s comments seem to be part of a larger PR strategy to reshape the narrative. He highlighted that the Subnautica 2 delay wasn’t a breakdown, but a deliberate step to ensure quality. That statement may be difficult to square with the details shared by former developers, who insist the game was already in a good state. Regardless, Krafton is standing firm. In fact, the company believes the very act of delaying a title under pressure shows confidence in its internal processes.

The contrast between the publisher and the original devs keeps widening. Cleveland said the game was on track. Krafton says it wasn’t good enough. Between these competing versions of events lies a frustrated player base and a project now pushed a full year down the road. Fans who were excited for a 2025 release now have to wait until sometime in 2026 for a proper look.

The publisher's stance also aligns with what was seen earlier this month in Krafton’s accusations against the original Subnautica 2 team. That move was met with sharp criticism, especially since it coincided so closely with their dismissal. While Krafton claims everything is being done for the good of the game, outside observers see a different picture—one of corporate interference, broken trust, and now, legal fallout.

Still, Krafton shows no sign of slowing down its involvement. Steve Papoutsis, head of Striking Distance and known for The Callisto Protocol, has stepped in to lead Unknown Worlds. Papoutsis is fully on board with Krafton’s approach, according to their statement, and is working toward meeting "clearly defined metrics and targets." In other words, the project has new leadership, a revised timeline, and an unapologetically hands-on publisher.

Whether this approach will pay off is unclear. Subnautica 2 is still in development, but a recent delay announcement pushed back expectations and confirmed that some original vision elements have been trimmed. Players hoping for a smooth early access rollout now face uncertainty—and a fractured development team.

Krafton, for its part, is staying on message. Everything happening, from removing the old leadership to shifting the release window, is being framed as evidence of control. The company continues to insist that it’s making the right moves—even if those moves have triggered a public crisis and a court case.

One thing is certain: the road to Subnautica 2 has changed. What started as a familiar sequel with returning creators is now a project rebuilt under new leadership, under a heavy cloud of tension. Krafton says that’s a sign of strength. The players, and eventually the final product, will decide whether that’s true.