Krafton has come under fire after abruptly terminating the leadership of the Subnautica 2 development team, which many suspect is a move to dodge a $250 million bonus payment. Following the announcement of the game’s delay to 2026, ex-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, along with CEO Ted Gill, were let go, prompting accusations of bad faith termination.

Cleveland expressed dismay in a statement shortly after his dismissal, asserting that Subnautica 2 was indeed prepared for its early access launch. He criticized Krafton’s rationale for the layoffs.

Amid the backlash, fans are rallying for a boycott of the game, citing Krafton’s manipulation and greed. One Reddit post advocating for the boycott has garnered significant support, leading to further calls for removal of Subnautica 2 from wishlists on platforms like Steam, where it ranks as the second most wished-for game currently.

A Krafton spokesperson refuted claims that the game’s delay was motivated by financial obligations, suggesting the delays are for the purpose of enhancing quality. As the situation develops, the implications on Subnautica 2’s release and the ongoing controversy will be closely monitored.