Yesterday I said Subnautic 2 was free of legal drama. I spoke too soon. The newly reinstated CEO of the studio behind the upcoming underwater survival game, Unknown Worlds, says that Krafton publisher intentionally leaked the game’s early access release window in May and potentially violated a judge’s ruling in the process.
On March 19, Game file reported that Unknown Worlds’ lawyers sent a letter to Judge Will on Tuesday evening shortly after IGN reported that an internal memo from Steve Papoutsisthe executive Krafton put in charge of the studio after the 2025 layoffshad been sent to the team behind Subnautic 2, announcing a May release window. Krafton later confirmed this release date with My city and other points of sale. But according to the letter from ousted co-founders and new CEO Ted Gill, Krafton didn’t have the authority to do so at all.
Judge Lori Will had ordered on March 16 that Gill be reinstated as CEO this Monday morning, and only he could determine Subnautique 2′s launch plans. So when Papoutsis wrote and sent this memo on Tuesday, he was no longer even legally CEO of Unknown Worlds.
“Krafton self-servingly announced the launch without any consideration for its impact on the game, the team or the community, let alone the opinion of this Court,” Gill and the co-founders’ lawyers said in a letter to the judge reported by Game file.
“The announcement of a game’s release is momentous, and it is typically accompanied by significant marketing activity, fanfare, and community coordination. And most importantly, the announcement is carefully crafted to maximize enthusiasm for the game. This entire process was supposed to be led by Mr. Gill. However, in defiance of the Court’s opinion, Krafton has now withdrawn this, further damaging the game and sowing further confusion among players. Subnautical community.”
The CEO and the co-founders’ lawyers claim that Krafton “intentionally leaked” the publication date to the press, then sent a statement confirming it, and suggested Judge Will hold Krafton in contempt for its actions.
Krafton responds to Subnautic 2 Legal letter from the CEO Game file reports that on Wednesday, Krafton’s lawyers sent their own letter to Judge Will and asserted that the publisher had not violated his order.
“Papoutsis’ message simply celebrated the [Unknown Worlds] employee efforts in response to a past event: Krafton’s pre-notice determination that Subnautic 2 was ready for early access release. There was nothing inappropriate in conveying the results of the milestone review or thanking the development team for their dedication and talent,” Krafton’s legal team said in its letter.
Krafton’s lawyers further clarified that Gill, as CEO, could still decide the timing of the release. Subnautic 2 and that “nothing in Papoutsis’ message modifies Gill’s authority or discretion.”
Judge Will apparently did not respond to any of these letters. Both sides were previously ordered to meet later this week and submit a proposed judgment that would be consistent with Judge Will’s ruling earlier this week. Gill’s letter from his legal team did not confirm or deny whether the new CEO would stick to the reportedly leaked May exit date.