Strong Early Access sales of Subnautica 2 have secured increased financial payouts for the entire staff at Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
The studio finalized a mutual legal settlement with parent publisher Krafton.
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The cooperative survival game has sold more than 4 million copies since its May release.
It crossed the revenue thresholds required to activate bonus structures established during Krafton's 2021 acquisition of the studio.
The financial resolution concludes a year-long legal battle in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
The dispute began when Krafton ousted the studio's top leadership last summer over delayed payments and scheduling disputes.
Under the finalized agreement, the total payout will exceed the original figures.
All current employees will receive their compensation across three annual installments instead of just staff present during the initial acquisition.
Leadership Transition
Outgoing Chief Executive Officer Ted Gill confirmed that the studio will transition to external leadership.
"New leadership is the best way for the studio to move forward," Gill said.
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The transition follows a March court order that temporarily reinstated the executive team.
A lawsuit had accused Krafton of intentionally delaying the game to 2026 to avoid a $250 million payout.
"We mutually agreed to part ways," Gill said.
The publisher confirmed the dismissal of all legal proceedings while ensuring that development duties for the franchise remain fully within the studio.
"Krafton, Inc., Unknown Worlds Entertainment and Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire have reached a mutual settlement and agreed to dismiss all pending legal proceedings," Krafton said in a statement.
Both entities are now shifting attention toward the long-term roadmap and community engagement for the title.
"Unknown Worlds and Krafton are focused on supporting Subnautica 2, its Early Access journey to the full 1.0 release and the global community that has made the franchise so special," Krafton added.
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"Unknown Worlds will continue leading development, with Krafton providing support for the success of the game."
