Key Takeaways
1. Krafton has removed the founding leadership of Unknown Worlds Entertainment, including co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, and CEO Ted Gill.
2. Steve Papoutsis, former head of Striking Distance Studios, is the new CEO and will lead the creative vision for the studio.
3. The leadership change raises concerns about the future direction of Subnautica 2, which is set for early access in 2025.
4. Fans are expressing dissatisfaction and worry about the impact on the franchise without the original creators in leadership roles.
5. Krafton reassured that the team is focused on delivering a great player experience for the Subnautica community.
In a surprising turn of events, publisher Krafton has removed the entire founding leadership group from Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the creators behind the Subnautica series. This change is immediate, with co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, alongside CEO Ted Gill, being succeeded by Steve Papoutsis. Papoutsis is known for his role as the former head of Striking Distance Studios and his involvement in The Callisto Protocol and Dead Space 2.
Concerns Over Subnautica 2
This announcement comes just a few months prior to the much-anticipated early access launch of Subnautica 2, leading to worries about the game’s future and guidance. No specific reasons were provided for this leadership change, although Krafton stated it “sought to keep” the original team engaged in the project.
Krafton expressed gratitude for the contributions of Ted, Charlie, and Max in cultivating the beloved Subnautica universe. The statement did not specify why the decision was made, but it mentioned that the company wishes them well in their future endeavors. “While Krafton sought to keep the Unknown Worlds’ co-founders and original creators of the Subnautica series involved in the game’s development, the company wishes them well on their next endeavors,” the announcement said.
New Leadership and Vision
Steve Papoutsis is now taking charge as the new CEO of Unknown Worlds, responsible for leading the creative vision of the studio. “Player experience is our North Star,” he stated in the announcement. “The team is laser-focused on delivering the best possible game for the Subnautica community.”
Krafton reassured that Subnautica 2 is still set for an early access release in 2025 on PC as well as Xbox Series X and S, and it will also be available on Xbox Game Pass.
Fan Reactions and Concerns
However, fans are wondering how much of the original vision will remain without the founding team in leadership positions. Many are expressing their discontent with the sudden shift in power, suggesting that it could jeopardize the franchise’s future.
“Not to be dramatic, but this is probably the end of the franchise,” one user remarked on the Subnautica subreddit. Numerous comments on that thread echoed similar feelings. “I wanted to play a game by the people that made Subnautica, and their leadership just got fired,” another user commented. “It does not inspire confidence. But real talk, they fired 3 top-level employees and replaced them with 1. The labor savings are what justified this in the eyes of the corporation,” said yet another user.
For the time being, Subnautica fans can only wish that the remaining development team has enough stability and freedom to create the sequel they have been eagerly awaiting.
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