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Subscribe from just £3 Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From£9.99Subscribe now The Fantastic Four: First Steps Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Starter Pack Recommended reading Survival Games Subnautica 2 owner Krafton says "former leadership abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them" in response to concerns over sudden changes and official delay: "We feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure" Survival Games Fired Subnautica 2 leads suing Krafton say the company "was not focused on a successful launch" because it was too busy sabotaging that launch to avoid paying a $250 million bonus Survival Games OG Subnautica director is suing parent company Krafton after leadership changes: "Subnautica has been my life's work and I would never willingly abandon it" Survival Games Krafton says the Subnautica 2 delay had nothing to do with money and was already being discussed before last week's leadership shakeup, and oh, here's a 90-second gameplay teaser Survival Games Subnautica studio co-founder speaks on "shock" dismissal, says "we know that the game is ready" – "To find that I'm no longer able to work at the company I started stings" Survival Games Subnautica 2 leak confirmed by Krafton, highlighting the cause of the survival game's delay and publisher's plans to "enhance the content volume and level of polish before launching" Survival Games "No subscriptions. No loot boxes. No battle pass": Subnautica 2 devs address concerns following major leadership changes, insist "it will remain a single-player first experience" Survival Games Subnautica 2 New Subnautica 2 CEO dismisses claims the game was delayed to prevent $250 million payout, says he's not there to "upend any of the development": "I'm not coming into this situation where they need creative leadership" Jordan Gerblick 17 July 2025 "That is that is not what is required here" When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Unknown Worlds) Steve Papoutsis, the new CEO of Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds, has dismissed claims that Krafton delayed the sequel in an effort to prevent developers from receiving a $250 million revenue target payout. In a newly public 58-page lawsuit, ousted former Unknown Worlds leaders Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire claim Krafton "flagrantly breached both the letter and the spirit of the promises at the very core of its agreement to purchase Unknown Worlds" largely to deny the developers the $250 million payout stipulated at the time of Krafton's $500 million acquisition. Talking to GamesRadar+, Papoutsis said: "I don't think that's the case. Personally, what was presented to me when I was asked to participate and help the team was nothing but encouragement for making a great game from Krafton. You may like Subnautica 2 owner Krafton says "former leadership abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them" in response to concerns over sudden changes and official delay: "We feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure" Fired Subnautica 2 leads suing Krafton say the company "was not focused on a successful launch" because it was too busy sabotaging that launch to avoid paying a $250 million bonus OG Subnautica director is suing parent company Krafton after leadership changes: "Subnautica has been my life's work and I would never willingly abandon it" "A commitment to players, a commitment to the creative process, a commitment to ensuring that, when we do choose to go to Early Access, it meets players' expectations. That is all that's ever been discussed to me, and that is a huge part of why I felt good about stepping in and accepting this opportunity." Krafton itself has gone on the record to deny that there was "any contractual or financial consideration" behind the delay and that a release date shift was being considered even before the leadership shakeup that stirred this whole dispute into motion. Papoutsis repeatedly stressed during our conversation that he sees his position as Unknown Worlds CEO as more of a support role than someone driving the creative direction of Subnautica 2. "I'm not coming into this situation where they need creative leadership," he said. "They've got that covered, where they need a person to lead the day to day development plan. They've got that in place. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. "I'm coming in to do whatever I can in terms of support within the greater organization to help keep an eye out for anything that's related to the project that is not necessarily about the development – any other business related aspects, any alignment with partners, outside of the direct development team – and obviously, share my experience and my insights with the team as needed." Papoutsis also assured he isn't "coming in here to upend any of the development. They've got a creative vision. They've got a wonderful team of developers. That is that is not what is required here. What's required here finding spots where I can provide value and support the team on any and all things related to development, not to insert myself into a situation." The dispute between Krafton and former Unknown Worlds leadership seems to evolve and intensify by the day, and there's a good chance we'll never hear the full story from an impartial perspective, particularly now that ongoing litigation is making those involved rightfully reticent to share details publicly. Subnautica 2 is due out in Early Access next year. Subnautica 2 leak confirmed by Krafton, highlighting the cause of the survival game's delay and publisher's plans to "enhance the content volume and level of polish before launching" See more PC Gaming News Jordan Gerblick Social Links Navigation After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Subnautica 2 owner Krafton says "former leadership abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them" in response to concerns over sudden changes and official delay: "We feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure" Fired Subnautica 2 leads suing Krafton say the company "was not focused on a successful launch" because it was too busy sabotaging that launch to avoid paying a $250 million bonus OG Subnautica director is suing parent company Krafton after leadership changes: "Subnautica has been my life's work and I would never willingly abandon it" Krafton says the Subnautica 2 delay had nothing to do with money and was already being discussed before last week's leadership shakeup, and oh, here's a 90-second gameplay teaser Subnautica studio co-founder speaks on "shock" dismissal, says "we know that the game is ready" – "To find that I'm no longer able to work at the company I started stings" Subnautica 2 leak confirmed by Krafton, highlighting the cause of the survival game's delay and publisher's plans to "enhance the content volume and level of polish before launching" Latest in Survival Games As Palworld update soars, IP expert says "weird" new moves from Nintendo in ongoing lawsuit read like a "desperate attempt to win by doing something odd" Fired Subnautica 2 leads suing Krafton say the company "was not focused on a successful launch" because it was too busy sabotaging that launch to avoid paying a $250 million bonus Subnautica 2 leak confirmed by Krafton, highlighting the cause of the survival game's delay and publisher's plans to "enhance the content volume and level of polish before launching" OG Subnautica director is suing parent company Krafton after leadership changes: "Subnautica has been my life's work and I would never willingly abandon it" Subnautica 2 owner Krafton says "former leadership abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them" in response to concerns over sudden changes and official delay: "We feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure" Krafton says the Subnautica 2 delay had nothing to do with money and was already being discussed before last week's leadership shakeup, and oh, here's a 90-second gameplay teaser Latest in News Mortal Kombat 2 star Karl Urban compares the new film to one of the greatest sequels ever: "[It's] what The Road Warrior is to Mad Max" He spent years making the single-player MMO he dreamt of for decades – it blew his "expectations and sales goals out of the water," and of course fans added multiplayer to it Jared Leto is a video game assassin brought into the real world in new Tron: Ares trailer, complete with the power to respawn Valve boss Gabe Newell shares his "daily routine," which is shockingly like his Steam God persona: "I get up, I work, I go scuba diving, work some more" then "go on a second scuba dive or I go to the gym" Valve's Gabe Newell predicts AI will lead to a "funny situation" where "people who don't know how to program" could be "more effective" than people "who've been programming for a decade" Ghost of Yotei director says "I would love to work on more Infamous" and "see a trilogy re-release," but for now "Sucker Punch is a one game at a time shop" GAME REVIEWS MOVIE REVIEWS Donkey Kong Bananza Review: "Destruction isn't just a flashy gimmick for the Minecraft generation, it's one of the best inventions Nintendo has had in years" Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 review: "A nostalgic, must-play hit for fans" College Football 26 review: “Thanks to rivalries and dynasty, this is the greatest show on turf” Mecha Break review: "This mech battler makes up for lacking customization with a varied roster that lets me live out my Evangelion fantasy" Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse" Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU" Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber" M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion" 28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy” Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation" Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever" Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era" Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date" Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling" Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision GamesRadar+ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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