Lawyers for Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds' reinstated CEO Ted Gill are pushing for publisher Krafton to be found in contempt of court. Krafton confirmed a May early access release for the game a day after a judge ordered Gill's reinstatement with full authority over the studio and its projects. The legal team claims the announcement defied the ruling.
Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in 2001. Last summer, the publisher removed CEO Ted Gill, along with studio founder and Subnautica game director Charlie Cleveland, and special projects director Max McGuire. Steve Papoutsis, CEO of Krafton's Striking Distance studio behind The Callisto Protocol, replaced them. Gill, Cleveland, and McGuire then sued, alleging they were pushed out and that Subnautica 2 was delayed to avoid a $250m bonus payment. Reports emerged that Krafton's CEO had used ChatGPT to brainstorm ways to avoid the bonus. This week, a Delaware judge ruled that Krafton breached its Equity Purchase Agreement by terminating the key employees without valid cause and seizing operational control. The judge declared the board resolution firing them ineffective and ordered Gill reinstated with full operating authority over Unknown Worlds and Subnautica 2's early access release. The day after the ruling, Papoutsis shared a staff memo stating the game had passed a milestone and was ready for early access in May. Krafton confirmed this to publications. Gill's lawyers raised concerns with the judge, arguing Papoutsis lacked authority post-ruling and that Krafton had intentionally leaked the information. They wrote, 'Krafton self-servingly announced the launch without any regard to its impact on the game, the team, or the community - let alone this Court's Opinion.' Krafton countered that the message celebrated a pre-ruling determination and did not affect Gill's authority. Gill's team has now filed a motion claiming Krafton continued confirmations after their concerns were raised, undermining the litigation. A dispute remains over the ruling's effective time: Gill's side says 9am Monday, while Krafton awaits an implementing order. Krafton stated it is evaluating options.
