Subnautica 2: Krafton is no longer the publisher

In a major development surrounding Subnautica 2, it has become visible that Krafton is no longer listed as the game’s publisher on Steam. The change was made on April 7, 2026, amid a legal battle between developer Unknown Worlds and Krafton, which acquired the studio in 2021. Unknown Worlds Entertainment is now listed as both developer and publisher of the game.

Legal battle and consequences

The legal dispute between Unknown Worlds and Krafton has been ongoing since July 2025 and has led to several internal conflicts at the company. This includes the dismissal of Unknown Worlds’ founders in the summer of 2025, which caused tensions between the parties involved.

In March 2026, a judge ruled that Krafton had to reinstate CEO Ted Gill, a decision Krafton disagrees with but says it will respectfully accept as it looks for new ways to deliver the best possible game for Subnautica fans.

Timeline

July 2025: Krafton dismisses the founders of Unknown Worlds.
March 2026: A judge rules that Ted Gill must be reinstated as CEO of Unknown Worlds.
April 7, 2026: Krafton is no longer listed as the publisher of Subnautica 2 on Steam.

Financial aspects and future plans

One of the reasons behind the legal battle was a potential $250 million payout to the founders of Unknown Worlds, which Krafton reportedly tried to avoid by delaying the game. Former developers have suggested that Krafton may have sought advice from ChatGPT when making its decisions.

Subnautica 2’s release date had already been pushed to 2026, and an early access launch was previously indicated for May 2026. However, that announcement is being disputed by the reinstated founders, who have raised doubts about Krafton’s intentions.

Impact on fans and the community

The changes to the publishing role have sparked speculation within the gaming community about the future of Subnautica 2. Fans of the franchise are looking forward to a release, but are concerned about the impact the legal issues may have on the game’s development and final quality.

At the moment, the Steam page lists only 2026 as the expected release window, with no further specifics. This has added to the uncertainty within the community about what to expect from the next chapter in the Subnautica franchise.

Meanwhile, Krafton is still the publisher of Moonbreaker, another game developed by Unknown Worlds. The coming months will be crucial for both Unknown Worlds and Krafton as they navigate the fallout from this legal battle.