Subnautica 2 Delay: A Sign of Order, Says Krafton
The highly anticipated Subnautica 2, from developer Unknown Worlds, recently faced a significant delay, pushing its early access launch into 2026. This news came amidst reports of internal disagreements between Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton regarding the game's readiness.
Despite what might appear as a setback, Krafton views this delay as a positive sign of their stringent development oversight. During their second-quarter 2025 earnings call, Krafton's Chief Financial Officer, Dongkeun Bae, stated that the delay proves their internal control system for game development is actively functioning.
Bae acknowledged that from an outside perspective, the situation might look like poor management. However, he emphasized that while a direct release would likely sell well due to Subnautica's large fan base, Krafton's priority is to meet player expectations rather than simply capitalize on interest. He further clarified that the decision to postpone the release was not spontaneous but part of a 'strict management of the entire development process.'
This statement follows a tumultuous period for Subnautica 2's development, including previous reports of former Unknown Worlds heads asserting the game was ready for release, a claim Krafton publicly disagreed with, citing insufficient content and polish. The situation led to significant shifts within Unknown Worlds' leadership.
Meanwhile, Krafton itself is enjoying strong financial health. For the first half of 2025, the company reported an impressive 1.536 trillion Korean Won (approximately $1 billion USD) in revenue, with a profit of 703.3 billion Korean Won (around $505 million USD). This success is largely attributed to the continued strong performance of PUBG and Battlegrounds Mobile India.
For players eagerly awaiting Subnautica 2, the delay means a longer wait, but potentially a more refined and content-rich experience upon launch. Subnautica 2 is confirmed for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as Xbox Series X|S, including Game Pass, with early access now expected in 2026. There is currently no information available regarding Russian localization.
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