Subnautica 2 success triggers $250m earnout payment for Krafton amid legal dispute

Subnautica 2’s commercial performance has reportedly triggered a $250 million earnout payment for publisher Krafton, following strong early access sales and ongoing legal proceedings involving former Unknown Worlds leadership.

The underwater survival title launched into early access on May 14 and has since sold around 4 million copies, reaching a peak concurrent player count of more than 467,000 on Steam.

According to estimates from Alinea Analytics, the game generated approximately $100 million in its first week and is currently the fastest-selling Steam release of 2026.

The earnout payment was a central point of dispute between Krafton and former Unknown Worlds executives, including CEO Ted Gill, who was dismissed alongside other senior staff in 2025.

At the time, Krafton stated that delays to the game’s launch impacted eligibility for the $250 million bonus, while the former leadership disputed the reasoning behind their removal.

Following their dismissal, Gill and other executives launched legal action against Krafton, alleging that they were removed to avoid triggering the $250 million payout.

Krafton denied the claim and accused the former staff of pursuing litigation to secure a bonus they had not earned, also alleging the removal of confidential materials prior to the dispute.

In March, a court ruling ordered the reinstatement of Gill and extended the earnout eligibility to former staff, marking a significant development in the case.

Recent reports now indicate that Krafton has agreed to proceed with the payment, which is linked to performance thresholds tied to revenue generated since its acquisition of Unknown Worlds in 2021.

The earnout structure reportedly awards $3.12 for every $1 earned beyond defined revenue benchmarks, up to a maximum of $250 million. The payout is estimated to represent a significant portion of Krafton’s annual operating profit.

The legal proceedings have also drawn attention for internal discussions revealed during the case, including assessments of the earnout agreement and subsequent strategic decisions by Krafton. The company has not yet publicly commented on the latest reports.