Before the early access launch of Subnautica 2 later this year, Krafton has announced a complete change of leadership at developer Unknown Worlds. Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire are out effective immediately, and Steve Papoutsis, CEO of Striking Distance Studios (The Callisto Protocol) is now in charge.
Krafton said in a press release that it “sought to keep the Unknown Worlds’ co-founders and original creators of the Subnautica series involved in the game’s development,” but now wishes them “well on their next endeavors.” It’s also “confident” about Papoutsis bringing “renewed energy and momentum to delivering the long-anticipated Subnautica 2 experience to fans.”
“There is nothing more important than the gamer experience. Given the anticipation around Subnautica 2, we owe our players nothing less than the best possible game as soon as possible,” said CEO Kim Chang-han. “We are thrilled Steve is joining us in our shared commitment at KRAFTON and Unknown Worlds to deliver Subnautica 2 as a more complete and satisfying entry in the series—one that truly lives up to player expectations.”
“Krafton puts players at the heart of every decision because they deserve the absolute best. We understand how eager our community is to dive into the underwater world of Subnautica 2, and we are working diligently to deliver an experience that meets those expectations—while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality and player experience. We deeply appreciate the patience and trust of our Subnauts, and we are doing everything possible to ensure the final result is worth the wait.”
Papoutsis added, “I am thrilled to be taking on this new role within the Krafton family and to be working alongside the immensely talented team at Unknown Worlds. Player experience is our North Star, and the team is laser-focused on delivering the best possible game for the Subnautica community. We appreciate Ted, Charlie and Max for their past roles in having built this beloved world, and thank the fans for your devotion and patience.”
Subnautica 2’s early access launch doesn’t have a release date, but it will be available on PC and Xbox Series X/S (via Game Preview). It features a new story and a world “too dangerous” for humans. Yet their ship AI insists they push ahead (and hopefully not in a HAL 9000 way). You still craft tools like the Scanner and Flashlight while discovering other recipes and building bases.
However, the building system has been overhauled to allow more customization. There are also new biomes and aquatic life (including Leviathans) to discover. Also, for the first time in the series, four-player co-op is supported. Stay tuned for more details on Subnautica 2 in the coming months.
