Krafton Removed as Subnautica 2 Publisher in Legal Dispute

Krafton, the South Korean publisher that acquired Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds in 2021, has been removed as the listed publisher for the upcoming sequel Subnautica 2 on major digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox, signaling a potential shift in the game's release arrangements amid an ongoing legal dispute.

The change, first noted around April 7, lists Unknown Worlds Entertainment solely as both developer and publisher on these platforms. Previously, both companies appeared in the publisher field. No official explanation has been provided by either party, though the timing follows a court ruling that restored operational control of the studio to its reinstated CEO, Ted Gill. The game's Steam page now indicates an early access launch in 2026 without a specific month, despite Krafton's earlier announcement of a May debut. Subnautica 2, a multiplayer co-op survival adventure built on Unreal Engine 5, has amassed over four million wishlists on Steam.

The alterations come after a turbulent year for Unknown Worlds. Krafton purchased the studio for an undisclosed upfront amount plus a potential $250 million performance-based bonus tied to financial and...