Subnautica 2 Early Access Delayed to 2026 Amid Leadership Shake-Up

The highly anticipated Subnautica 2 has officially been delayed, with publisher Krafton confirming that its early access release has been pushed back to 2026. This delay follows a surprising leadership overhaul at Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the franchise.

🚨 Leadership Shake-Up and Project Impact

Krafton recently replaced the three-person leadership team at Unknown Worlds, though the company has not provided a clear reason for the move. However, a report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier suggests financial incentives may have played a role. According to Schreier, Krafton had promised a $250 million bonus to be shared among the Unknown Worlds team—but only if Subnautica 2 met specific launch milestones.

With the early access now delayed into 2026, the game is unlikely to hit those targets, and the bonus will likely go unpaid.

📅 What We Know About the Delay

• New Early Access Window: Subnautica 2 will now release in 2026, instead of the previously planned 2025 window.
• Financial Incentive Lost: A $250 million team bonus from Krafton was reportedly tied to the original timeline.
• Leadership Removed: Krafton has replaced the top leadership at Unknown Worlds, raising community concerns.
• Development Continues: The rest of the development team remains intact, according to Krafton.

💬 Developer Response and Fan Backlash

Following the announcement, Subnautica co-creator Charlie Cleveland stated that the game was ready for early access, placing responsibility for the delay squarely on Krafton. Cleveland also expressed surprise at the leadership dismissal, calling the move unexpected.

Fans have been vocal online, questioning the decision and the future direction of the project. In response, Krafton has reaffirmed that Subnautica 2 will not include microtransactions, loot boxes, or battle passes, maintaining the series' player-first approach.

🔧 What’s Next for Subnautica 2?

Despite the internal changes, Subnautica 2 remains a major title for Krafton. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game aims to expand the underwater survival experience with co-op support for up to four players—the only confirmed online feature so far.

While a 2025 early access release is now off the table, it’s clear that Krafton is taking additional time to realign the project under new leadership. Whether that results in a more polished product or further delays remains to be seen.