Subnautica 2 is a massive hit, so Krafton has to pay that $250 million bonus to devs - Engadget

Subnautica 2 has sold at least 4 million copies despite being an unfinished early access release, driven by demand for underwater exploration. Krafton, which acquired Unknown Worlds in 2021, promised a $250 million bonus to executives and staff if revenue targets were met. Those targets have been reached, so the payout is likely. Krafton delayed the game to miss the original 2025 revenue window and allegedly rejected the payout to avoid embarrassment and appear weak. The company fired Unknown Worlds leadership, but a judge forced it to reverse course. In 2026, reports say Krafton’s CEO used ChatGPT to find ways to avoid the earnout, then pursued Project X to negotiate a lower bonus or take over the studio. A Delaware court found Krafton tried to buy time and followed most ChatGPT recommendations, but the plan failed.

"Subnautica 2 is selling like hotcakes, despite being an unfinished early access release. People have been so desperate for good old-fashioned underwater exploration that the game has already sold at least 4 million copies. This means that publisher Krafton has to finally make good on its promise to pay devs a $250 million bonus, according to a report by IGN."

"Krafton bought Unknown Worlds back in 2021 and the contract stipulated that executives and staff would get to share in a $250 million bonus if they hit certain revenue targets. According to the South Korean business press, those targets have been hit and the payout is likely forthcoming. This bonus has been at the heart of a legal battle between Krafton and developer Unknown Worlds."

"The developers missed the original revenue target window of 2025 because Krafton delayed the game to avoid making the payout. According to a pre-trial brief, Krafton CEO Changham Kim allegedly nixed the payout because it would be a "professional embarrassment" and make him look like a "pushover." The company also fired the CEO of Unknown Worlds and other co-founders before a judge forced it to reverse course."

""They looked to buy time," vice-chancellor Lori Will of the court of chancery in Delaware said in a ruling. "Over the next month, Krafton followed most of ChatGPT's recommendations." That didn't work, and here we are. Subnauti"

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