Subnautica 2’s 2026 Delay: Krafton Claims No Financial Motivation
The much-anticipated sequel to Subnautica, Subnautica 2, has officially been delayed until 2026. The decision was confirmed by Unknown Worlds, the game’s developer, and its parent company, Krafton. While many have speculated that the delay is a tactic to avoid paying the studio a significant $250 million bonus, Krafton maintains that the delay was purely a creative choice and not influenced by financial factors.
The controversy surrounding the delay stems from a recent Bloomberg report, which revealed that Krafton made the decision after an internal playtest showed positive feedback on the game’s environment, creatures, and storyline. Krafton claims that the feedback from the community indicated that Subnautica 2 was heading in the right direction, but there were still areas for improvement. As a result, they decided to push back the game’s early access release to 2026 to allow for more development time and fine-tuning based on player feedback.
However, some of the former founders of Unknown Worlds, including Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill, who were fired earlier this month, disagree with this decision. According to their claims, the game was already in a state that was ready for early access by the end of 2025. They argue that the delay may have been strategically timed to avoid triggering the $250 million bonus that would have been owed to the studio if certain revenue targets were met by 2025. These claims raise doubts about the true motivations behind the delay, with some questioning if Krafton is avoiding this financial obligation.
Krafton has denied any financial motivations, stating that the decision was not influenced by contractual obligations. They also emphasized that discussions regarding the delay occurred before the firing of Unknown Worlds’ founders. Despite this, many within the studio still feel that the delay is unnecessary and could have been avoided.
The game’s early access launch has been one of the most highly anticipated events in the gaming world, especially after the success of the original Subnautica, which sold over 6 million copies. With such high expectations, any changes to the launch timeline are bound to generate strong reactions, particularly when financial stakes are so high. Whether or not the delay is truly about improving the game or avoiding a hefty financial payout remains a topic of heated debate.
For now, fans will have to wait until 2026 for the chance to dive into Subnautica 2’s expansive world. The studio has shared a new gameplay trailer, reinforcing their confidence in the direction the game is heading.