I once read somewhere—a comment buried deep in some forum, maybe?—that life kinda mirrors those unpredictable plot twists you see in a TV show. And boy, isn’t that spot-on with what’s happening with the folks from Unknown Worlds and Krafton? Like, here’s a story about Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire getting the boot from their creation, and it’s unfolding just as dramatic as any soap opera.
So apparently, these guys, who started and built what we know as Subnautica, ended up axed by Krafton. Did you see that coming? Because I sure didn’t. On Reddit of all places—where else?—Charlie dropped the news that they’re hauling Krafton to court. Of course, details are “coming soon,” like some movie teaser. Classic cliffhanger move.
And here’s the kicker, the heads-up about Subnautica 2 getting delayed hits right alongside their departure. Delays usually mean more than late game nights for fans, right? There’s this ginormous bonus, some mind-boggling $250 million, these guys won’t see because apparently, Krafton thinks, “Nah, not yours.” Makes you wonder about these company decisions, huh?
To quote Charlie, “Suing a multi-billion dollar company in a painful, public and possibly protracted way was certainly not on my bucket list.” I mean, who puts that on a bucket list? No one, really. But here they are, fighting for what seems like more than just a payout. It’s personal—Subnautica is his passion project, his life’s work, so he says. Feels like a messy breakup.
Oh, and that juicy bit about sharing profits? Charlie insists (and you kinda want to believe him here) they’ve always been about spreading the wealth. The “I’m in this industry because I love it, not for riches” sentiment sounds almost clichéd, but maybe it’s true. Feels old-school, this idea that creatives aren’t just about the bottom line. Maybe they’re still out there after all.
And let’s not gloss over Steve Papoutsis stepping in—industry vet, sure, but that change must feel weird. I wonder if he likes his new role or if he’s secretly sweating over the pressure cooker he just walked into.
So yeah, stay tuned, I guess? This drama’s got that “I-want-to-look-away-but-can’t” kinda pull. We’ll see the dust settle eventually, but until then, enjoy the ride—or don’t; that’s your call.
