Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton now forced to pay $250m earnout to Unknown Worlds developers after more than 4m units sold www.eurogamer.net/subnautica-2...
May 28, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton now forced to pay $250m earnout to Unknown Worlds developers after more than 4m units sold www.eurogamer.net/subnautica-2...
This krafton-subnautica story is pathetic. Bosses need to be scared for their lives like 60% of the time.
November 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This krafton-subnautica story is pathetic. Bosses need to be scared for their lives like 60% of the time.
Krafton has agreed to pay the $250M earnout to 'Subnautica 2' developer Unknown Worlds.
www.ign.com/articles/sub...
www.ign.com/articles/sub...
May 28, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Krafton has agreed to pay the $250M earnout to 'Subnautica 2' developer Unknown Worlds.
www.ign.com/articles/sub...
www.ign.com/articles/sub...
Amidst the drama, I do think it's worth pointing out that it is *bonkers* that Krafton purchased Unknown Worlds for $500m with a $250m earnout.
For comparison: Sony bought Insomniac Games in 2019 for $229m. EA bought Respawn in 2017 for $455m.
2021 sure was wild
For comparison: Sony bought Insomniac Games in 2019 for $229m. EA bought Respawn in 2017 for $455m.
2021 sure was wild
July 16, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Amidst the drama, I do think it's worth pointing out that it is *bonkers* that Krafton purchased Unknown Worlds for $500m with a $250m earnout.
For comparison: Sony bought Insomniac Games in 2019 for $229m. EA bought Respawn in 2017 for $455m.
2021 sure was wild
For comparison: Sony bought Insomniac Games in 2019 for $229m. EA bought Respawn in 2017 for $455m.
2021 sure was wild
The word of the day is Earnout.
Used in a sentence, "Krafton is going to have to pay the maximum earnout of $250MM to Unknown Worlds, because of the high performance of Subnautica 2 and the low performance of the Krafton CEO's use of ChatGPT to avoid paying it."
Used in a sentence, "Krafton is going to have to pay the maximum earnout of $250MM to Unknown Worlds, because of the high performance of Subnautica 2 and the low performance of the Krafton CEO's use of ChatGPT to avoid paying it."
May 14, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The word of the day is Earnout.
Used in a sentence, "Krafton is going to have to pay the maximum earnout of $250MM to Unknown Worlds, because of the high performance of Subnautica 2 and the low performance of the Krafton CEO's use of ChatGPT to avoid paying it."
Used in a sentence, "Krafton is going to have to pay the maximum earnout of $250MM to Unknown Worlds, because of the high performance of Subnautica 2 and the low performance of the Krafton CEO's use of ChatGPT to avoid paying it."
Krafton CEO allegedly asked AI to "brainstorm ways to avoid paying" earnout bonus to Subnautica 2 devs www.eurogamer.net/krafton-ceo-...
November 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Krafton CEO allegedly asked AI to "brainstorm ways to avoid paying" earnout bonus to Subnautica 2 devs www.eurogamer.net/krafton-ceo-...
Update on the Subnautica story: today I received more documentation on the $250m earnout. Ten percent of that, or up to $25m, was due to be paid to about 40 Unknown Worlds staff (each receiving different amounts, mostly six figures). Leadership had also said they’d give parts to other employees.
July 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Update on the Subnautica story: today I received more documentation on the $250m earnout. Ten percent of that, or up to $25m, was due to be paid to about 40 Unknown Worlds staff (each receiving different amounts, mostly six figures). Leadership had also said they’d give parts to other employees.
the reported deal that everyone gushed over and called her an entrepreneur for is actually a long-term incentive based earnout deal with a bunch of outs, good luck!
October 24, 2025 at 1:50 AM
the reported deal that everyone gushed over and called her an entrepreneur for is actually a long-term incentive based earnout deal with a bunch of outs, good luck!
Subnautica 2 has sold so well that publisher Krafton has reportedly agreed to pay a $250 million earnout to the developers — a bonus that was at the heart of its high-profile legal dispute with the fired Unknown Worlds leadership. https://bit.ly/4nTVJhb
May 28, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Subnautica 2 has sold so well that publisher Krafton has reportedly agreed to pay a $250 million earnout to the developers — a bonus that was at the heart of its high-profile legal dispute with the fired Unknown Worlds leadership. https://bit.ly/4nTVJhb
i’ve litigated plenty of earnout/milestone disputes on nearly identical facts. depends entirely, on the contract language and governing law, but if i’m the subnautica team i’m at least showing the contract to a lawyer.
July 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
i’ve litigated plenty of earnout/milestone disputes on nearly identical facts. depends entirely, on the contract language and governing law, but if i’m the subnautica team i’m at least showing the contract to a lawyer.
this is fucking criminal
contract said 'pay 250million if you hit targets'
they were on track to hit it
company fired them all, forced delay on shipment to miss target
contract said 'pay 250million if you hit targets'
they were on track to hit it
company fired them all, forced delay on shipment to miss target
Subnautica 2 reportedly delayed into 2026 just months before Krafton was due to pay a $250 million bonus to developer Unknown Worlds
New CEO Steve Papoutsis apparently told employees that there's no indication the delay was made "specifically to impact any earnout."
www.pcgamer.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
this is fucking criminal
contract said 'pay 250million if you hit targets'
they were on track to hit it
company fired them all, forced delay on shipment to miss target
contract said 'pay 250million if you hit targets'
they were on track to hit it
company fired them all, forced delay on shipment to miss target
Subnautica 2 has sold so well that publisher Krafton has reportedly agreed to pay a $250 million earnout to the developers — a bonus that was at the heart of its high-profile legal dispute with the fired Unknown Worlds leadership. https://t.co/KnIoFotFMg
May 30, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Subnautica 2 has sold so well that publisher Krafton has reportedly agreed to pay a $250 million earnout to the developers — a bonus that was at the heart of its high-profile legal dispute with the fired Unknown Worlds leadership. https://t.co/KnIoFotFMg
NEW: In a newly unsealed lawsuit, the former leadership of Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds say Krafton sought to sabotage the game after realizing it'd be successful enough to trigger most or all of a $250 million earnout.
A wild story gets even wilder: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
A wild story gets even wilder: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Subnautica 2’ Leaders Say Krafton Sabotaged Game Over Payout
In a newly unsealed complaint, the ousted leadership group accused the South Korean video-game publisher of firing them without cause to seize control of the company
www.bloomberg.com
July 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
NEW: In a newly unsealed lawsuit, the former leadership of Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds say Krafton sought to sabotage the game after realizing it'd be successful enough to trigger most or all of a $250 million earnout.
A wild story gets even wilder: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
A wild story gets even wilder: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Unknown Worlds / Krafton story is a gift that keeps on giving. Looks like Krafton is out of the Subnautica picture entirely.
I have thoughts about what this extrication deal might be (waive the earnout, dismiss any countersuits, Krafton doesn’t get a dime)… and if so, a good deal for Krafton.
I have thoughts about what this extrication deal might be (waive the earnout, dismiss any countersuits, Krafton doesn’t get a dime)… and if so, a good deal for Krafton.
April 13, 2026 at 11:44 PM
The Unknown Worlds / Krafton story is a gift that keeps on giving. Looks like Krafton is out of the Subnautica picture entirely.
I have thoughts about what this extrication deal might be (waive the earnout, dismiss any countersuits, Krafton doesn’t get a dime)… and if so, a good deal for Krafton.
I have thoughts about what this extrication deal might be (waive the earnout, dismiss any countersuits, Krafton doesn’t get a dime)… and if so, a good deal for Krafton.
Here's the latest on the Subnautica 2 drama:
- Krafton has agreed to extend the bonus earnout period for Unknown Worlds employees to account for the delay
- The founders have filed a lawsuit for breach of contract
- Complaint is still sealed (but more to come soon)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
- Krafton has agreed to extend the bonus earnout period for Unknown Worlds employees to account for the delay
- The founders have filed a lawsuit for breach of contract
- Complaint is still sealed (but more to come soon)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Krafton Extends ‘Subnautica 2’ Bonus Period, Is Sued by Founders
The former leadership group of game developer Unknown Worlds is suing parent company Krafton for breach of contract
www.bloomberg.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Here's the latest on the Subnautica 2 drama:
- Krafton has agreed to extend the bonus earnout period for Unknown Worlds employees to account for the delay
- The founders have filed a lawsuit for breach of contract
- Complaint is still sealed (but more to come soon)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
- Krafton has agreed to extend the bonus earnout period for Unknown Worlds employees to account for the delay
- The founders have filed a lawsuit for breach of contract
- Complaint is still sealed (but more to come soon)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Court instead finds that the firing was just to deprive the studio of the contractual bonus.
March 16, 2026 at 7:08 PM
The Court instead finds that the firing was just to deprive the studio of the contractual bonus.
I was so looking forward to Subnautica 2, and its behind-the-scenes story turned out to be an unfunny farce.
Krafton CEO allegedly asked AI to "brainstorm ways to avoid paying" earnout bonus to Subnautica 2 devs
The saga around Subnautica 2's Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton continues.
www.eurogamer.net
November 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I was so looking forward to Subnautica 2, and its behind-the-scenes story turned out to be an unfunny farce.
Reading this with the arrested development narrator voice and curb your enthusiasm bgm
March 17, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Reading this with the arrested development narrator voice and curb your enthusiasm bgm
My favorite part of the Subnautica 2 lawsuit is the Krafton employee who told them firing the cofounders to avoid paying the earnout was going to backfire. Multiple warnings!
March 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
My favorite part of the Subnautica 2 lawsuit is the Krafton employee who told them firing the cofounders to avoid paying the earnout was going to backfire. Multiple warnings!
Alternate title "So many people found out about Krafton's deal with Unknown Worlds that not paying them the $250M earnout would have given them the worst reputation in gaming somehow"
May 28, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Alternate title "So many people found out about Krafton's deal with Unknown Worlds that not paying them the $250M earnout would have given them the worst reputation in gaming somehow"
New developments in the legal dispute between Krafton and co-founders of Subnautica 2 studio Unknown Worlds:
A filing accuses Krafton's CEO of organising a "special task force" to execute a takeover.
He was also accused of asking ChatGPT to “help him brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout.”
A filing accuses Krafton's CEO of organising a "special task force" to execute a takeover.
He was also accused of asking ChatGPT to “help him brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout.”
Krafton CEO Allegedly Used ChatGPT to "Brainstorm Ways to Avoid Paying the Earnout" to Unknown Worlds Co-Founders
A new document in the lawsuit between Krafton and the Unknown World co-founders has accused Krafton of assembling a "special task force" to "take over" the subsidiary
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:45 AM
New developments in the legal dispute between Krafton and co-founders of Subnautica 2 studio Unknown Worlds:
A filing accuses Krafton's CEO of organising a "special task force" to execute a takeover.
He was also accused of asking ChatGPT to “help him brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout.”
A filing accuses Krafton's CEO of organising a "special task force" to execute a takeover.
He was also accused of asking ChatGPT to “help him brainstorm ways to avoid paying the earnout.”
Earnout dispute panel: use short simple sentences in contracts. Page-long sentences are bad.
Great legal writing tip.
Great legal writing tip.
March 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Earnout dispute panel: use short simple sentences in contracts. Page-long sentences are bad.
Great legal writing tip.
Great legal writing tip.
In a transcript of the hearing obtained by Game Developer, Kim eventually admits to deleting messages that indicate he used ChatGPT to understand how to potentially cancel the earnout—something Kim initially denied.
November 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
In a transcript of the hearing obtained by Game Developer, Kim eventually admits to deleting messages that indicate he used ChatGPT to understand how to potentially cancel the earnout—something Kim initially denied.