The series' original creators have left the development ofSubnautica 2, departing the studio they founded, Unknown Worlds. The upcoming oceanic survival game is set toenter early access sometime in 2025, but a major shakeup has now hit the development studio behind it.
According to a press release fromSubnautica 2publisher Krafton, Steve Papoutsis is taking over as CEO of Unknown Worlds after fulfilling the same role at Striking Distance Studios, which most recently releasedThe Callisto Protocolin 2022.“Papoutsis replaces the previous leadership team — Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — effective immediately,“according to the press release.
Gill was the president of Unknown Worlds, while Cleveland and McGuire were the studio’s co-founders, formerly serving as the CEO and CTO respectively.Cleveland was also the director, designer, and lead gameplay programmer for the originalSubnautica, with McGuire also serving as a prominent programmer. Krafton’s press release shares no concrete update on the status ofSubnautica 2’s development.
Details Are Scarce
Papoutsis taking the reins at Unknown Worlds is happening at a potentially worrying time, whileSubnautica 2is preparing to enter early access. Theweapon-less survival gameis highly anticipated, andthe departure of the series' creators prior to the game becoming publicly available is not a promising sign for the state of its development. Unfortunately, the press release offers very little insight into why Gill, Cleveland, and McGuire have departed.
Krafton CEO CH Kim says, “We owe our players nothing less than the best possible game, as soon as possible,” with the press release subsequently referencing the company’s commitment to “achieving regular milestones to assess progress across its creative studios.” It continues: “This process is essential to delivering the right game at the right time,” indicating thatSubnautica’s creators leaving Unknown Worlds may have revolved around the development timeline.
Series Creators Leaving Is Worrying
Without many details, it’s impossible to know the full situation at Unknown Worlds and the effect its old leadership’s departure will have onSubnautica 2, but as a general rule,key figures like the studio’s co-founders and the series' creators leaving shortly ahead of an early access launch is not a promising sign.Subnautica 2has a lot of potential, but there was clearly a disagreement between the lead developers and the publisher.
Papoustis taking over is also concerning in regard to Unknown Worlds' work culture.The Callisto Protocolcame under fire for requiring heavy crunch from its developers prior to release.The Callisto Protocolwas also published by Krafton, which demanded the game be released three months ahead of schedule, according toPCGamesN, contributing to said crunch. 32 employees were laid off from Striking Distance Studios followingThe Callisto Protocol’s DLC. The fate ofSubnautica 2and its developers remains to be seen, but the change in leadership has raised concern.
Source:PCGamesN
Subnautica 2
A new alien ocean world beckons as players assume the role of a pioneer guided by a mysterious AI to complete an enigmatic mission. The story hints at major transformations to human biology as a necessity for survival. Core gameplay elements include exploration, resource gathering, base building, and scanning alien flora and fauna.
