Subnautica 2 fans are sounding the alarm after a major leadership shake-up at Unknown Worlds just months before the game’s Early Access launch. Longtime creative director Charlie Cleveland, along with co-founders Max McGuire and Ted Gill, have stepped away from the studio’s top roles.
Krafton, the parent company behind Unknown Worlds, has now placed Steve Papoutsis—known for his work on Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol—in charge as CEO. The move raises serious questions about the direction of the next Subnautica installment.
According to Krafton, the leadership change aims to boost momentum, tighten accountability, and refocus the project. While no official drama has been revealed, the timing and wording strongly suggest internal disagreements over Subnautica 2’s vision, pacing, or scale.
Fans fear this could shift the game toward a more commercial or multiplayer-focused experience, possibly at the expense of its trademark isolation, mystery, and slow-burn survival gameplay. The departure of the original creators is being seen as a possible red flag for what was once one of indie gaming’s most atmospheric survival franchises.
Whether this results in a bolder game or a watered-down version of its predecessor remains to be seen. For now, Subnautica 2 is still slated for Early Access in 2025 — but it’s sailing into uncertain waters.
