The spat between just lately fired Unknown Worlds founders and writer Krafton has gotten messier, with studio co-founder Charlie Cleveland confirming on Reddit {that a} lawsuit has been filed towards Krafton.
Cleveland’s replace follows a press release issued by Krafton earlier right this moment. The writer claimed that the previous Subnautica 2 bosses—particularly Cleveland and fellow co-founder Max McGuire—had “deserted the tasks entrusted to them”, particularly, the event of Subnautica 2. It additionally claimed that the sport’s Early Entry construct, which was scheduled to launch imminently, “falls brief when it comes to content material quantity”.
“We’re deeply dissatisfied by the previous management’s conduct,” Krafton’s assertion learn, “and above all, we really feel a profound sense of betrayal by their failure to honor the belief positioned in them by our followers”. The tone of this assertion is ruthless, to say the least, and fairly totally different to Krafton’s preliminary missive, which maintained a imprecise company impassivity, whereas extending gratitude to the sacked leaders.
In his personal assertion, Cleveland repeats his declare that Subnautica 2 is prepared for Early Entry—which Krafton has denied—earlier than confirming the lawsuit.
“We’ve now filed a lawsuit towards Krafton: the small print ought to finally turn out to be (a minimum of largely) public—you all deserve the complete story. Suing a multi-billion greenback firm in a painful, public and probably protracted approach was definitely not on my bucket checklist. However this must be made proper. Subnautica has been my life’s work and I might by no means willingly abandon it or the superb staff that has poured their hearts into it.”
Cleveland additionally addresses the elephant within the room: the $250 million bonus which was to be rewarded to Unknown Worlds upon reaching sure income milestones by the tip of 2025, with 90 % of that determine going to “the three former executives”, in line with Krafton. Earlier rumors had prompt that the sackings and Subnautica 2’s delay was a tactic on Krafton’s half to keep away from paying out this quantity, however the writer prompt in right this moment’s assertion that “honest and equitable compensation” can be granted to remaining Unknown Worlds workers.
Cleveland writes that it was by no means the management’s intention to maintain the 90 %. “As for the earnout,” he writes, “the concept that Max, Ted and I needed to maintain all of it for ourselves is completely unfaithful. I’m on this trade as a result of I adore it, not for riches. Traditionally we’ve at all times shared our earnings with the staff and did the identical once we bought the studio. You will be damned certain we’ll proceed with the earnout/bonus as nicely. They deserve it for all their unbelievable work making an attempt to get this nice sport into your arms.”
The saga continues then, and it seems to be turning right into a protracted one. Particular particulars of the lawsuit have but to emerge, however Cleveland implies we’ll be listening to extra about that quickly.
This is his full statement:
Hey everybody,
It continues to be an explosive and surreal time for the Subnautica staff and group. None of that is what we needed. However we actually recognize the superb help we’ve gotten from everybody. It means lots to us, particularly now.
As I wrote last week, we all know in our souls that the sport is prepared for Early Entry – that’s simply how we roll. And we’d like nothing greater than so that you can play it (sport devs stay for this). But it surely’s not presently below our management.
We’ve now filed a lawsuit towards Krafton: the small print ought to finally turn out to be (a minimum of largely) public – you all deserve the complete story. Suing a multi-billion greenback firm in a painful, public and probably protracted approach was definitely not on my bucket checklist. However this must be made proper. Subnautica has been my life’s work and I might by no means willingly abandon it or the superb staff that has poured their hearts into it.
As for the earnout, the concept that Max, Ted and I needed to maintain all of it for ourselves is completely unfaithful. I’m on this trade as a result of I adore it, not for riches. Traditionally we’ve at all times shared our earnings with the staff and did the identical once we bought the studio. You will be damned certain we’ll proceed with the earnout/bonus as nicely. They deserve it for all their unbelievable work making an attempt to get this nice sport into your arms.
Keep tuned.
-Charlie
