Upcoming Xbox Game Pass title ‘Subnautica 2’ is facing boycott calls — after publisher Krafton nuked dev bonuses and ousted the leadership team

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Among the most eagerly awaited survival games currently, Subnautica 2 ranks high, if not the highest. However, its very continuation could be at risk.

It emerged yesterday that the release date for Subnautica 2 has been pushed back to 2026 due to internal issues at developer Unknown Worlds.

In the upcoming survival game, players find themselves on alien oceanic worlds teeming with colossal beasts and terrifying deep-sea monsters. Players must gather resources, build underwater vehicles, and battle to stay alive in harsh oceanic conditions. The follow-up promises an escalation of action, offering 4-player cooperative gameplay within a vastly expanded map.

It’s been announced that Subnautica 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass, with a release planned for Xbox, PC, and other platforms in 2025. However, controversies and upheavals at developer Unknown Worlds have led some fans to advocate for boycotts due to the actions of publisher Krafton.

According to recent reports, it appears that the game publisher Krafton (known for PUBG and The Calisto Protocol) has unexpectedly postponed the release of their game. This delay is allegedly being done to avoid disbursing milestone bonuses worth approximately $250 million to the developers of the game.

Due to the postponement, Krafton will no longer be required to disburse the bonuses. Instead, Krafton removed the developer’s top management and installed a new team led by one of their other studios.

I’ve witnessed a significant outcry, prompted by the unfolding events, urging a withdrawal from the game. On Reddit, one particular post has made a powerful impact, surging to the forefront of the site, garnering over 30,000 endorsements in the form of upvotes.

The creators of Subnautica who were dismissed have argued that the game’s delay is unnecessary because it meets the requirements for early access. However, Krafton, the current publisher, believes more content needs to be added first. This delay supposedly allows Krafton Inc. to avoid paying bonuses, which has upset fans and led some to call for a boycott.

Yesterday, the latest trailer was shared, and predictably, it’s sparked a wave of calls for boycotting the game and ensuring the developers receive their due bonuses.

Video game boycotts have been around for a while, but they’re often known for not causing much change, especially if the game itself is high-quality.

Based on its trailers, Subnautica 2 appears exceptional, and there aren’t many games similar to it. The original game was a massive success, so it’s likely that its sequel will also be successful once it reaches completion.

Krafton Inc.’s decision to save the studio Tango Gameworks (previously under Microsoft) from closure initially earned them positive sentiment, however, more recent developments appear to have dissipated that goodwill.

It’s unclear where things will head next, but there appears to be a puzzle that needs solving. Unlike typical “early access” games, known for their rough edges and incomplete features, it seems strange that Krafton is pushing for such a delay. The most plausible theory is the controversy over the “bonus,” which, if verified, would indicate a questionable action on the part of the company.

Subnautica 2 will hit Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass some time in 2026.

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2025-07-10 17:39