Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica 2, has issued a statement addressing a recent and controversial leadership change within the company. Despite the release of this letter, many fans remain anxious about the potential consequences on the game’s development.

A major corporate shift occurred earlier this July, when Krafton Inc., the studio’s parent company, announced a complete overhaul of its leadership team, including the appointment of Steve Papoutsis, known for his work on the Dead Space series. This change marks the departure of long-standing co-founders Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire, who will no longer participate in the production of Subnautica 2.

The shift has sparked intense reactions within the Subnautica 2 community, prompting numerous gamers to voice their concerns on social media. In response, Unknown Worlds released a letter intended to reassure fans. The team expressed their support for Papoutsis and affirmed that the core development team, dedicated to the Subnautica 2 project, remains intact, promising to uphold the game’s original vision.

While transparency regarding future plans was a key part of this communication, many fans remain skeptical, fearing that the leadership changes may jeopardize the game’s anticipated release. The developer assured fans that Subnautica 2 will not include microtransactions and will maintain a focus on single-player gameplay with optional multiplayer components. Given Krafton’s past commitments to maintaining the studio’s creative autonomy, some fans are left questioning their trust in both the developer and its promises.

Now, the real impact of these developments on Subnautica 2’s evolution remains to be seen, as anticipation builds ahead of its expected early access launch in 2025.