KRAFTON has made a bold leadership change at Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the beloved Subnautica series. The original founders-Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire-have been replaced by industry veteran Steve Papoutsis, known for his work on Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol.
This shake-up marks a clear pivot for the studio as it pushes forward with the highly anticipated Subnautica 2.
KRAFTON, which acquired Unknown Worlds in 2021, says the change reflects a renewed commitment to player satisfaction. CEO CH Kim emphasized that delivering a top-tier experience for gamers is paramount, stating: “We owe our players nothing less than the best possible game.”
Papoutsis echoed that sentiment in his first statement as head of Unknown Worlds: “Player experience is our North Star.” With his proven track record in atmospheric sci-fi games, many fans are hopeful he can steer Subnautica back to its original magic.
For some, the shift is seen as a course correction. While the first Subnautica received acclaim for its open-ended survival gameplay and eerie underwater exploration, its sequel, Below Zero, received mixed feedback. Some longtime fans criticized its heavier focus on narrative and perceived social messaging, which they felt diluted the gameplay experience.
Subnautica 2 is expected to arrive in early access later this year on PC and Xbox Series S|X, also launching on Game Pass. With Papoutsis at the helm and the backing of KRAFTON, fans are cautiously optimistic that this sequel could dive deeper-and darker-than ever before.
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