Krafton is facing legal action from the former leadership of Unknown Worlds following their abrupt removal and the delay of Subnautica 2's early access launch. The move came as Krafton shifted the game's expected release timeline from 2025 to 2026, raising concerns over the project's direction. The ousted leaders, including studio founder Charlie Cleveland, claim they were pushed out amid internal disagreements over the game's development. Krafton asserts that the decisions made were necessary to meet fan expectations for Subnautica 2 and that they look forward to defending themselves in court. Meanwhile, speculation regarding the project's viability has intensified following the leak of an internal review questioning the game's content and overall quality.

The controversy arose when Krafton replaced key leaders at Unknown Worlds, which led to a public outcry among fans due to concerns about the game's quality and direction. This was compounded by a significant delay in the release schedule and subsequent legal threats from the ousted leadership.

Subnautica 2, a highly anticipated sequel to the beloved underwater exploration game, has faced a tumultuous development cycle. With its predecessors earning widespread acclaim, fans have high expectations for this sequel. The game promises to expand on its predecessor's mechanics and lore, contributing to the tense atmosphere surrounding its development amid the ongoing conflict.