Krafton has replacedSubnautica 2’s three-person leadership team with industry veteran Steve Papoutsis as the new CEO of Unknown Worlds. The move comes as a bit of a shock for many fans, as there hadn’t been much, if any, news about tension or development issues at Unknown Worlds Entertainment. Details are still murky, but it’s clear that things are changing forSubnautica 2, at least behind the scenes.
Unknown Worlds has been behind the series since the beginning, withKrafton acquiring theSubnauticastudio in 2021, after the first game and its spin-off,Subnautica: Below Zero, were already out. Less than a year later, fans spotted a job listing revealing that Unknown Worlds was working on a sequel, and since then, development has proceeded relatively quietly. That is, until today, when Krafton announced the change in leadership.
Krafton announcedthat Steve Papoutsis, the CEO of Striking Distance Studios, would take over as CEO of Unknown Worlds “effective immediately” on July 2. Papoutsis replaces Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire, who co-founded the studio and created theSubnauticaseries, so the shift is a dramatic one on top of being unexpected. Krafton said it wanted to keep the original team onboard, but it’s now parting ways with them, and it’s unclear why. The publisher has only said that the move is to “prioritize development momentum” and deliver a better fan experience. Devs had already said thatSubnautica 2will be the franchise’s most ambitious projectto date, which seems in line with Krafton’s goal, so where ideas might’ve clashed isn’t evident at the moment.
Krafton Has Replaced Subnautica 2’s Entire Leadership Team
This is not the first shake-up to take place at a Krafton-owned studio this year. In February,Krafton laid off several Striking Distance employees, which, notably, is the company that Papoutsis previously led before his new posting at Unknown Worlds. Those layoffs were larger than theSubnautica 2team’s leadership change, but they reflect the difficulties many studios have faced in the current market. Given that theSubnautica 2shift affected the game’s leaders rather than its developers, this case may be more an issue of direction than profitability, but Krafton’s relatively vague announcement leaves room for interpretation.
While any news of development change-ups may make fans worry, Papoutsis does have a respectable resume. Before helming Striking Distance, he worked at EA on theDead Spaceseries. At least one survey claims thatDead Space 2is one of the scariest horror games of all time, so Papoutsis' experience with it could lend itself well toSubnautica 2.
Subnautica 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure game set on an all-new alien ocean world. It is the next chapter in the Subnautica universe, developed by Unknown Worlds.New World, New AdventureA new world awaits alongside an all-new story. You are a pioneer traveling to a distant world, but something is amiss. The ship’s AI insists you carry on the mission. This world is too dangerous for humans to survive… Unless you change what it means to be human. What creatures, intelligent or otherwise, await your arrival?Explore with FriendsPlay alone or with up to three friends in online multiplayer co-op. Whether exploring mysterious ruins, building custom bases, or adventuring deeper into the world… The challenge of this planet will test your ingenuity and ability to adapt, in unexpected and curious ways.Craft Submersibles, Tools, and BasesSurvival depends on utilizing the right tools. Alongside basic items such as your Scanner and Flashlight, you’ll find recipes for more advanced tools, equipment, and submersibles. Bases are more customizable with an overhauled building system. New tools allow for greater adaptation to the world.Uncover Diverse New BiomesFrom towering underwater cliffs to lush coral fields, this aquatic alien world is brimming with vibrant and breathtaking biomes, each teeming with diverse ecosystems and unique creatures. But something isn’t right. The world is out of balance. What happened here? What happened to you? And more importantly, where are you?Study Mysterious LifeformsUncover a rich world full of mysterious lifeforms, from the smallest fish to the largest Leviathans. Scan creatures to learn more about them. Use your Biosampler to take samples for study. As you learn more about this world, evolve your genetics to adapt your body for survival.Survive Terrifying DepthsThis world is vast and deep. Venture beyond the safety of shallow waters, descending into a dark unknown. Wonder and danger lurks around every corner. To survive this planet, you’ll need to push beyond your boundaries and unlock the secrets of this strange world.About the TeamSubnautica 2 is being created by Unknown Worlds, a fully remote studio that traces its roots back to the 2002 Half-Life mod Natural Selection. It is the same studio that created the original Subnautica. The team is scattered around the globe, from the United States to the United Kingdom, France, Iceland, Austria, Australia, Canada, India, and many more places.Early Access DevelopmentSubnautica 2 will be an Early Access game meaning it will be in active development at release. You may encounter bugs, in-development features, and performance issues. We will be adding additional biomes, creatures, craftables, and narrative as we proceed. Join us in Early Access and help shape the future of Subnautica 2.
