Krafton settles Subnautica 2 bonus dispute as CEO departs

Krafton has agreed to pay promised bonuses to all Unknown Worlds staff following the success of Subnautica 2. The settlement ends a long legal battle between the publisher and developer. Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill is also stepping down as part of the agreement.

The settlement ensures every current employee at Unknown Worlds receives payouts, including those who joined after the 2021 acquisition. Bonuses will be distributed in three annual installments and exceed the original terms, with additional incentives tied to ongoing game updates.

Gill described the departure as mutually agreed. He stated that new leadership offers the best path forward for the studio. Krafton and Unknown Worlds are now seeking an external candidate to replace him.

The dispute began last year when Krafton fired Gill and co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire. A March court order reinstated Gill, and Subnautica 2 launched in May to strong sales on PC and Xbox.

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