r/pcgaming: Court Restores Unknown Worlds CEO and Early Access Control in the Subnautica 2 Fight With Krafton

r/pcgaming is pushing one of the biggest business stories in games this week: Kotaku reports that the Delaware Chancery Court ordered Krafton to reinstate Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill and restore his authority over Subnautica 2's Early Access launch. The ruling, issued March 16, reshapes control of one of Steam's most watched upcoming releases while the broader lawsuit continues.

According to Kotaku's report on the decision, the court found that Krafton breached the parties' agreement by terminating key employees without valid cause and by improperly seizing operational control of Unknown Worlds. The ruling states that the July 1, 2025 board resolution is ineffective to the extent that it interferes with Gill's operational authority, and it orders Krafton not to block his control over the Early Access launch or his access to Steam.

The financial stakes are also substantial. Kotaku says the court extended the period for the studio's earnout through September 15, 2026, with a possibility of further extension. Unknown Worlds was acquired by Krafton in 2021 for a $500 million equity payout with up to $250 million in additional earnout tied to performance targets, so who controls launch timing and studio operations has obvious money implications as well as creative ones.

What the ruling changes, according to Kotaku

Ted Gill is to be reinstated as CEO of Unknown Worlds.

His authority over Subnautica 2's Early Access launch is to be restored.

Krafton is ordered to restore his access to Steam.

The earnout window now runs through September 15, 2026, with potential for further extension.

Phase two litigation over damages still remains pending.

Kotaku also reports that the court rejected Krafton's later justifications for the firings as pretextual. That matters because the case is no longer just about leadership drama or release timing; it goes directly to whether a publisher can rewrite studio control after an acquisition when a large earnout is on the line. Krafton said it disagrees with the ruling and is evaluating its options, while maintaining that its focus remains delivering the best possible game.

The immediate unknown is when Subnautica 2 will now actually hit Early Access. But the March 16 order changes the power balance around that decision, and it ensures the legal fight will remain central to the game's business narrative even before players can buy in.