Exited son Natuka 2 leader against parent company Crafton, gained personal income for placing more than $250 million in bonuses

Founder Aquarius 2 Studio Unknown Worlds, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, as well as former CEO Ted Gill, are filing a lawsuit against parent company Krafton because it's an increasingly painful bonus for a company.

In the new statementCleveland called the recent incident “an explosive and surreal period” and told fans anxiously waiting to play saubnautica 2 that they “all deserve the full story.” This is just the latest twist in the long and puzzling dispute between the original management of the unknown world and the long and puzzling dispute between Krafton's Korean giant Behemoth Pubg's Krafton.

Crafton got Unknown World in October 2021 then, explain Sabnautica Studio will continue to operate as a standalone clothing. However, last week, former strike-distance CEO Steve Papoutsis joined Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds as CEO. Shocking announcement confirmed former leadership teams – Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire – Replaced with “Efficient now. “Over the years, I found out that I was no longer able to start working in the company,” he said. The statement also implies that although the former leadership team believes the game is ready for an early visit release, Crafton did not.

Then, earlier this week, reports were reported that Subnautica 2 was postponed to 2026, just a few months before Krafton was about to pay. Offer $250 million in bonus to the development team. Bloomberg It said that the delay was “defying the wishes of the former leader of the studio”, and that if the prize money from Unknown World reaches a certain income target by the end of 2025, the $250 million bonus will be paid. Without Subnautica 2 coming this year, it would be impossible to achieve these revenue goals, and the bonuses would not be paid.

Krafton insisted in a statement from IGN that the decision had nothing to do with “any contractual or financial considerations.” Instead, Coffton claimed that the delay was to respond to Playtests’ feedback and that delayed negotiations were already being discussed before Cleveland, McGuire and Jill were eliminated.

Then, in a new statement, a series of charges were filed against the previous leadership team, with Crafton claiming it made “multiple requests” to Cleveland and McGuire, reinstateing the duties of the game director and the technical director, respectively, but both allegedly refused.

“In particular, after the failure of Moon Slayer, Crafton asked Charlie to work on the development of Subnautica 2. However, instead of participating in game development, he chose to focus on his solo film project,” the statement said. “Crafton believes that the lack of core leadership will lead to repeated confusion in directions and significant delays throughout the project plan.”

Crafton later said 90% of his salary was allocated to Cleveland, McGuire and Jill for $250 million, with the remaining 10% leaving 10% for the development team.

“Specifically, in addition to the initial $500 million purchase price, we also earned $250 million in revenue compensation from three former executives who expect them to show leadership and active participation in the development of Subnautica 2,” Krafton said.

Now, Cleveland has Confirmed Former leaders are taking legal action against Crafton and objecting to the allegations that they want to “keep all (make money) themselves”, calling the claim “totally untrue.” However, he did not have the exact reason for the previous management team to prosecute anything.

“It's still an explosive and surreal time for Subnautica and the community. None of this is what we want. But we really appreciate the amazing support we get from everyone. It means a lot to us, especially now.”

“As I wrote last week, we know in our souls that the game is ready to get in early – that’s how we scroll. We just want you to play it (for that, Game Devs Live). But we don’t have control over our control yet.

“We have now filed a lawsuit against Crafton: Details should eventually become publicly public – you all deserve the full story,” he added. “Prosecution of a multi-billion dollar company in a painful, public and possible lasting way is certainly not on my bucket list. But, that needs to be done right.

As for making money, the idea that Max, Ted and I want to keep it all for myself is totally unreal. I'm in this industry because I like it, not to have money. We have historically shared our profits with the team and did the same thing when selling the studio. When we can keep working, we can keep working.

Fans are now calling for boycott, begging others not to buy subnautica 2 and Accusation Krafton's “Dark Business Practice”.

“I don't know whether it's right or wrong here, but honestly, it's a weird business decision that guarantees the money on that premise,” Comment A fan. “Maybe Charlie did nothing wrong, but no one would resist trying to launch a sub-par product that wasn't ready for a $250 million staring at $250 million. If the Subnautica 2 isn't ready, it's going to be kicked out anyway to make money.

“In this case, no one wins.

“At this point, we are quickly approaching the za/um level.” additional Another, to combine the consequences with Disco Edward Island Developer za/um The studio leader also lostleading to three different studios claiming to be developing a “spiritual successor”.

“Honestly, I'm not sure who is here. Both sides offer pretty abominable arguments, and I think we don't really know until the lawsuit plays (and maybe not even),” suggestion This player. “That being said, I would love to see if it’s just three people asking for money (and screwing up for the rest of the team), or if they’re taking the team into the lawsuit in some ways.”

“Crafton is a large company with a positive legal team. I just refuse to believe that, given how clear their statements are, in the statement, there is anything that can be interpreted remotely as defamation,” he said. remind Another fan.

“I'm sure the fact is somewhere in the middle, but I can't help but notice that so far no one has denied Crafton's allegations. They're also a big enough company that these guys know they'll very much agree to a small part of $250 million to make the whole problem go away.”

Crafton has not publicly commented on Cleveland's latest statement. IGN requests comment.

Vikki Blake is an IGN journalist, as well as a critic, columnist and consultant with over 15 years of experience working with some of the world's largest gaming websites and publications. She is also a guardian, a Spartan, a quiet Hilan, a legend and a permanent chaos. Find her Bruceky.