Subnautica 2's Early Access Delay: Completing Solving Concerns

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Krafton recently made a surprising decision by removing the three co-founders of Unknown Worlds Entertainment—Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire. Steve Papoustis, who previously worked at Striking Distance Studios, has been appointed as the new studio head.

Many fans are worried about the future of Subnautica 2, which is expected to enter early access later this year. Although Krafton’s announcement suggested that Papoustis was brought in to speed up the game’s development, Cleveland stated in a post about his departure that Subnautica 2 is “ready for early access.”

Nonetheless, Krafton’s statement to Kotaku hints otherwise.

Subnautica 2’s Release Schedule May Need “Adjustments”

“Following the recent leadership transition, we are in the process of refining our development plans and preparing for an Early Access launch under a more clearly defined vision,” the statement said. “Some adjustments to the schedule may be required.”

This doesn’t confirm a delay for Subnautica 2’s early access, but it’s not a positive sign either. Krafton likely wouldn’t have mentioned potential schedule changes unless they anticipate a delay.

The situation is confusing, as neither Krafton nor the former leaders have explained why this leadership change happened. Cleveland claims the game is ready, while Krafton seems to be preparing for a delay, suggesting that Subnautica 2 might not be as far along as planned.

Removing three key people who contributed to the original success of the series seems like a drastic step. The reasons behind their dismissals may not be clear any time soon due to possible contractual agreements.

For now, Subnautica 2 is still set to release in early access later this year. The game is being built using Unreal Engine 5 and will feature a multiplayer mode for up to four players.