Subnautica 2 early access release date set for May after shock legal verdict
Subnautica 2 Early Access Launch Set for May Following Legal Resolution
Following a series of delays and legal challenges, the follow-up to Subnautica has secured an early access launch in May, surpassing initial fan expectations.
Subnautica, the original title, remains a standout survival game from recent years. Players navigate a mysterious alien ocean world, battling environmental hazards to survive and uncover its secrets.
Earlier in 2021, the game spawned a spin-off titled Subnautica: Below Zero, which was initially planned as downloadable content. In 2022, the developers announced a direct sequel, promising cooperative gameplay for up to four players.
The sequel’s early access was originally slated for last year, but disruptions within the team—including staff layoffs and legal disputes—pushed back the timeline. A recent court ruling has now cleared the path for the game to debut in May 2026.
“Thanks to your dedication and talent, we’ve added more story chapters, built new creatures, and created new biomes along with many other features,” the message reads.
“With this significant progress, we have passed KRAFTON’s milestone review last week and are now ready to start our open development journey alongside our community. We have full confidence that we have reached a point where we can deliver an experience our players will love.”
Earlier in 2025, Krafton, the parent company of Subnautica 2’s development team, dismissed the entire leadership, including CEO Ted Gill and senior members Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire. Steve Papoutsis, former CEO of The Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance, was appointed as a replacement.
This action sparked a lawsuit, with the fired employees alleging that Krafton intentionally stalled development to prevent them from earning a $250 million bonus tied to the game’s timely release and sales targets. Krafton countered that the team’s founders had become disengaged, leading to the delay.
“An internal assessment of the first playable in March of 2024 made clear that the team had failed to deliver on their promise of developing sufficiently new content,” Krafton’s response read. “But rather than roll up their sleeves and make the game they had promised, the Key Employees blamed others and overhauled the team.”
Months later, a judge in March 2026 ruled in favor of the employees, requiring Krafton to reinstate Ted Gill as CEO and restore his full authority over the studio and the sequel’s launch. The court found Krafton had violated the EPA by terminating key staff without valid cause and seizing control of the project.
As part of the decision, Krafton must extend the deadline for the $250 million bonus, giving the team a renewed opportunity to meet their financial goals. The company expressed disagreement with the ruling, stating it is “evaluating our options as we determine our path forward.”
“Today’s ruling does not resolve the former executives’ claim for damages or an earnout related to Subnautica 2, with further litigation still pending,” Krafton added. “In the meantime, our immediate focus remains unchanged: delivering the best possible game to Subnautica’s fans.”
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