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Krafton sued for allegedly sabotaging Subnautica 2's release
Unknown Worlds co-founders claim Krafton delayed the game to avoid paying a major earnout.
A brewing conflict between Krafton and Subnautica 2's founders raises questions over bonus payments.
Krafton faces lawsuit over alleged player bonus manipulation by firing Subnautica 2 founders
The situation between Krafton and the founders of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica 2, has taken a dramatic turn. Three key developers, including co-founder Charlie Cleveland, were fired amid claims that Krafton is purposely delaying the game's release to avoid paying a potential $250 million bonus. In a lawsuit, the developers allege Krafton executives are using underhanded tactics to frustrate the game's launch, which would trigger the earnout payment. Cleveland cited a lunch with Krafton CEO Kim Chang-han, during which the CEO allegedly expressed that paying the earnout would be financially disastrous and embarrassing. Krafton denied these claims and insists that the delay is for quality reasons.
Key Takeaways
"Having to pay such an earnout would be disastrous financially and hugely embarrassing for Krafton."
This statement by Krafton's CEO hints at the financial risks the publisher perceives.
"Krafton engaged in a months-long campaign to delay Subnautica 2’s release."
This accusation indicates serious claims about internal sabotage of the project.
"We look forward to defending ourselves in court."
Krafton's response shows they remain confident amid the lawsuit's claims.
This lawsuit highlights significant tension in the gaming industry around profit-sharing and corporate ethics. The accusations against Krafton suggest a troubling strategy to save money at the expense of employee welfare and creative autonomy. If the claims are proven, it could set a dangerous precedent for how publishers operate in the future, potentially harming developer-publisher relationships and employee morale. The outcome will be closely watched, as it raises broader questions about accountability within the gaming realm.
Highlights
- Krafton's alleged tactics could change industry trust forever.
- A potential $250 million earnout is now at the heart of this controversy.
- Krafton's leadership may face serious fallout over this lawsuit.
- Delaying a game to save money raises ethical red flags.
Risk of backlash over alleged corporate manipulation
Krafton faces serious allegations that could harm their reputation and lead to public backlash if proven true. The case highlights deep issues regarding publisher ethics in the video game industry.
The case may redefine industry standards for trust and collaboration between developers and publishers.
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