Krafton has officially confirmed the authenticity of a leaked internal development document for Subnautica 2, revealing why the highly anticipated underwater survival sequel faces significant delays. The document, dated May 2025, offers an unfiltered look at the project’s troubled development path and explains the recent firing of three senior executives from developer Unknown Worlds.
The leaked milestone review paints a concerning picture of Subnautica 2‘s progress. According to the document, the game has repeatedly missed key development milestones and fallen far short of content targets for its planned Early Access release. What was initially intended to launch with multiple biomes, several story chapters, and features like mining and automation has been drastically reduced in scope.
Most alarming for fans of the series is just how little of the game appears ready despite years of development. The document confirms that Subnautica 2 currently has only one of six planned regions implemented, with minimal story elements in place. Core gameplay features that were promised as selling points for the sequel remain unfinished or entirely missing from the current build.
This lack of progress directly led to Krafton’s decision to terminate three top executives from Unknown Worlds. The publisher cited leadership failures and insufficient involvement in the project’s development as primary reasons for the dismissals. Reports suggest these executives had shifted their focus to unrelated projects, including AI-generated movies, during critical stages of Subnautica 2‘s development.
The situation marks a big moment for the Subnautica franchise, which first made waves in 2014 when it entered Early Access. The original game revolutionized underwater survival gameplay and built a devoted following through its community-driven development approach. Its follow-up, Subnautica: Below Zero, released in 2021 to more mixed reception, with some criticism for its content and pacing.
Early Access expectations have dramatically changed since the first game’s release. When the original Subnautica entered Early Access, players were more accepting of minimal content with the promise of future additions. Today’s market demands substantially more complete experiences, even for early releases. Other recent sequels like Cities: Skylines 2 and Payday 3 have faced harsh criticism for launching in perceived incomplete states.
The stakes are particularly high for Krafton, which acquired Unknown Worlds for approximately $500 million. The publisher had offered substantial financial incentives—reportedly including a $250 million bonus—for meeting sales and release targets, with a majority set to go to the original founders. This structure may have created pressure to push for an earlier, less complete Early Access release.
When submarine projects spring a leak
The remaining Unknown Worlds staff now face the challenge of steering Subnautica 2 back on track under new leadership. Krafton’s decision to confirm the leak rather than ignore it suggests the publisher is attempting transparency with fans while justifying its actions regarding the leadership shakeup and release delay.
Meanwhile, the ousted executives have initiated a lawsuit against Krafton, meaning this corporate mess is going to keep making headlines for a while. For fans eagerly awaiting their return to alien oceans, the confirmation of these development struggles explains the delays but also leaves people wondering when—and in what shape—Subnautica 2 will eventually surface.
