Krafton Settles Bonus Dispute with Unknown Worlds Entertainment

A recent report confirms that Krafton has resolved a protracted financial dispute by agreeing to pay substantial bonuses to the employees of Unknown Worlds Entertainment. This development marks the conclusion of legal issues stemming from a lawsuit against the studio's leadership, which accused them of neglecting their management responsibilities.

The conflict arose following Krafton's acquisition of Unknown Worlds for $500 million in 2021, which included a promise of an additional $250 million in bonuses contingent upon the success of their upcoming title, Subnautica 2. With the settlement now finalized, Unknown Worlds’ CEO, Ted Gill, has stepped down from his position.

Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reported that Gill's resignation comes after a tumultuous period during which he was previously dismissed by Krafton due to escalating financial and legal concerns. Notably, he was reinstated as CEO in March 2026. In discussing his departure, Gill mentioned that it was a mutual decision aimed at allowing the studio to progress with new leadership.

In the settlement, Gill indicated that the bonuses for Unknown Worlds staff would be "significantly more" than initially planned and that additional incentives would be provided as they continue to develop Subnautica 2. The game itself entered early access on May 14th and quickly gained traction, achieving nearly half a million concurrent players on Steam shortly after launch, along with a wave of positive reviews.

According to details shared by Bloomberg, every employee at Unknown Worlds, including newer hires, will benefit from the bonus distribution. With this resolution, the protracted litigation and drama surrounding the studio appears to have reached a conclusion.