Subnautica 2 success puts Krafton under pressure over $250 million earn-out

In brief

Krafton may be required to pay up to $250 million to Unknown Worlds, the developer of Subnautica 2, after the game sold more than four million copies. The financial obligation stems from an earn-out agreement made when the studio was acquired in 2021. The legal battle has caused unrest within Unknown Worlds, leading to the departure of CEO Ted Gill. The pressure on Krafton could affect the development of future Unknown Worlds titles.

GAME-scanner analysis

The strong sales of Subnautica 2, which has sold more than four million copies since its early access launch on May 14, 2026, have increased the pressure on Krafton. The legal dispute, which began in 2025 when Krafton tried to avoid the bonus by dismissing Gill and Unknown Worlds’ co-founders, has created uncertainty about the studio’s future. Confirmation of the bonus payments by multiple reliable sources strengthens the credibility of this information. This could affect the team’s motivation, which may ultimately impact the quality of future updates and content.

What does this mean for players?

For players, it is important to know that development of Subnautica 2 may be under pressure because of Krafton’s financial obligations. That could affect the frequency of updates and the quality of future content. Players want confidence in the studio and its ability to keep developing the game without being distracted by business issues. The uncertainty around Unknown Worlds’ leadership could also affect communication with the player community, especially now that Ted Gill is leaving his role again.