Krafton Agrees $250M Bonus for Subnautica 2 Devs

In February 2025, publisher Krafton agreed to pay Unknown Worlds Entertainment a $250 million bonus for the upcoming game Subnautica 2. This earn-out payment, stemming from the studio's acquisition in 2021, was triggered by strong pre-order sales data. Subnautica 2 is an open-world underwater survival game developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment. It represents the first major numbered sequel in the franchise, introducing 4-player cooperative and competitive PvP modes alongside the traditional single-player campaign. The game is scheduled for release on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.

Key Facts

The $250 million bonus payment to Unknown Worlds represents the full earn-out from their 2021 acquisition by Krafton, triggered specifically by strong early sales of Subnautica 2.

What Triggered the $250 Million Bonus Payment to Unknown Worlds?

Krafton activated the $250 million earn-out clause in the 2021 acquisition agreement due to strong pre-order and early sales data for Subnautica 2. Publisher Krafton analyzed sales figures from e-commerce platforms, which indicated the title would become a major commercial success, meeting the specific performance targets outlined in the acquisition contract.

Krafton Founder and Chairman Chang Byung-gyu stated: “They have excellent capabilities in producing and operating games that can be loved for a long time.”

Under the original deal, this bonus was contingent on achieving specific undisclosed profitability and sales milestones. The decision to pay the full bonus was reportedly finalized by the end of 2024 following an internal review of the pre-launch data.

Krafton's decision to pay the $250 million earn-out bonus was based on an evaluation of pre-order sales data for Subnautica 2 that indicated the title would meet the specific long-term revenue targets defined in the 2021 acquisition contract.

What Gameplay Modes Does Subnautica 2 Include?

Subnautica 2 will feature three distinct gameplay modes: a traditional single-player narrative campaign, a 4-player online cooperative mode, and a competitive PvP mode. This marks a significant expansion for the franchise, which was previously limited to single-player experiences in the main series and Below Zero.

The cooperative mode allows teams of up to four players to explore the ocean, build bases, and survive together. The competitive mode adds a PvP element where players can build bases and fight against each other, a first for the series. Unknown Worlds confirmed these features during the game's reveal at gamescom 2024 alongside the announcement of the expanded multiplayer scope.

Subnautica 2 will be the first game in the franchise to feature a dedicated competitive PvP base-building mode alongside its traditional single-player campaign and 4-player cooperative mode.

When Is the Subnautica 2 Release Date and Which Platforms Are Supported?

Krafton and Unknown Worlds plan to launch Subnautica 2 into Early Access in 2025 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. A specific release date for the Early Access launch has not yet been announced, and a full version release date will likely follow the completion of the Early Access development cycle.

The game is confirmed for Windows PC via Steam and Game Preview on Xbox Series X/S. The 2025 Early Access launch mirrors the development strategy of the original Subnautica, which spent over three years in Early Access before its 1.0 release. A PlayStation 5 or Switch version has not been announced by the publisher.

Subnautica 2 is scheduled to release into Early Access in 2025 exclusively on PC and Xbox Series X/S, with no confirmed release date for PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch.

How Does Subnautica 2 Compare to Previous Subnautica Games?

Subnautica 2 is the first fully numbered sequel in the franchise and introduces major structural changes over its predecessors, Subnautica (2014) and Subnautica: Below Zero (2019). While prior entries were strictly single-player narrative experiences, Subnautica 2 adds 4-player online co-op and a competitive PvP base-building mode.

Subnautica 2 is a structural departure from the franchise's single-player tradition, expanding into cooperative and competitive multiplayer while retaining the core exploration and base-building gameplay.

Common Questions

Why did Krafton agree to pay the $250 million bonus to Unknown Worlds?

Krafton agreed to pay the $250 million bonus because Subnautica 2 demonstrated strong pre-order and early sales data, triggering the specific earn-out and milestone clauses written into the 2021 acquisition agreement for Unknown Worlds Entertainment.

Does Subnautica 2 support competitive PvP multiplayer?

Yes. Subnautica 2 will introduce a dedicated competitive PvP mode that combines base-building with player combat. This is a first for the franchise, which previously offered only single-player campaigns or cooperative modding experiences.

Is Subnautica 2 coming to PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch?

No. As of the game's announcement and the publisher's reports in February 2025, Subnautica 2 is only confirmed for PC and Xbox Series X/S. No PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch versions have been announced by Krafton or Unknown Worlds.

The $250 million bonus was an earn-out payment triggered by specific sales milestones, Subnautica 2 introduces a competitive PvP mode for the first time in the series, and the game is not currently confirmed for PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch.

Sources and Methodology

This article synthesizes reporting published by Rock Paper Shotgun on February 20, 2025, which cites an original report by MTN (a South Korean financial news outlet) based on public statements and financial documents from Krafton. The core claim regarding the bonus payment was attributed to Krafton Founder and Chairman Chang Byung-gyu.

All monetary figures are reported in United States Dollars (USD) as cited in the original source material. The statistics regarding early sales data were characterized as "strong" by the publisher but exact sales figures were not disclosed in the reviewed documents. This article was last updated on February 24, 2025.

This article is based exclusively on financial reporting from Krafton and Rock Paper Shotgun, with the primary data points regarding the $250 million bonus attributed to public statements by Krafton Chairman Chang Byung-gyu.