Publisher Accused Of Leaking Subnautica 2 Release Date To Spite Co-Founders

The newly reinstated CEO of Unknown Worlds says publisher Krafton intentionally leaked Subnautica 2’s early access release window of May and may have violated a judge’s order. The allegation centers on an internal memo from Steve Papoutsis, the executive Krafton put in charge of the studio after the 2025 firings, which announced the May window; Krafton later confirmed the date.

Judge Lori Will ordered on March 16 that Ted Gill be reinstated as CEO and that only he would determine the game’s launch plans. Gill’s lawyers say Papoutsis sent the memo after that order, while not legally CEO, and that Krafton “self-servingly announced the launch” in a way that damaged the game, the team, and the community; they suggested the judge hold Krafton in contempt.

Krafton’s lawyers replied that the message merely celebrated employees’ efforts and conveyed the results of a milestone review, and that nothing in it alters Gill’s authority or discretion over release timing. The judge has not responded to either letter.

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