Krafton has finally confirmed that a leaked internal report showing the real state of Subnautica 2’s development is true. The leak from an internal milestone review back in May 2025 revealed that the next installment was far from the content level initially planned. Biomes missing, major features removed, even six hours worth of story content chopped out—there’s much that went awry.
The letter provided a concerning picture. A title that was once slated for an early access launch in 2025 has now been rescheduled for 2026, and for good reasons. Krafton explained that the early-access build was not polished and low on actual gameplay content, which prompted the publisher to reconsider its release schedule.
This reddit post right here reveals it.Take a look:
What the Leak Revealed: A Half-Finished World
As per the verified review, Subnautica 2 lacked a large quantity of biomes and wildlife. A needed vehicle was missing, and there had been a removal of a mode entirely. Most worrisome was the deletion of approximately six hours of narrative content, a heavy blow to a game that relies on immersion in story. The internal suggestion was straightforward: push the launch and add more complexity.
Krafton explained that this wasn’t some abrupt change. They had always been involved with milestone reviews every now and then to keep the studio on track. This most recent report simply made it official, the game wasn’t ready.
Collapse of Leadership at Unknown Worlds
In a twist, the leak coincided with significant shakeup at Unknown Worlds, the developer of Subnautica. Krafton ousted three top executives: studio co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill. In their stead, former Striking Distance CEO Steve Papoutsis took over to helm the company.
Krafton stated the initial leadership had in effect “abandoned” the project. Cleveland allegedly had been focusing on a personal film venture instead, resulting in instability and loss of direction for the development team. Krafton didn’t sugarcoat things either, they maintained a “profound sense of betrayal.”
Developers Fire Back: Legal Battle Brewing
The ousted executives aren’t silent. Reports indicate they’ve sued Krafton, alleging their ouster was intentional, to refrain from paying out a $250 million bonus contingent on a 2025 release. Subnautica 2 was ready for early access, in their view, and the delay wasn’t warranted.
Cleveland posted an emotional statement, acknowledging that he was “shocked” by the firing and reiterating that the game could’ve been released this year. “It stings,” he said, “to be taken from the studio I built.
Fanbase Reacts: Division and Boycott Threats
The Subnautica fandom, generally one that spread positivity, has been in a maelstrom. The fans are now split. Half support Krafton’s quality-over-quantity choice, but others feel the publisher is looking at profits over imagination. Even boycotts have been called for and threats to review-bomb if the sequel is dropped under the current management.
Krafton, in its recent update, justified the decision as a move to safeguard the project and allow it to reach its full potential. But for a fanbase that’s waited since Below Zero in 2021, patience might be thinning out.
What’s Next for Subnautica 2?
With a delayed release, a new executive team, and clouds of law hovering above its head, the future of Subnautica 2 hangs in the balance. Krafton vows a larger, more comprehensive early-access title in 2026, but only time will tell if it can make good on that, or if the controversy around it will drown out the depths it’s attempting to plumb.
