Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill Steps Down After Krafton Settles Subnautica 2 Dispute

Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill is voluntarily stepping down following a legal settlement between publisher Krafton and three previously fired studio leaders, the parties confirmed. After a journey that involved pink slips, a courtroom reinstatement, and disputed developer bonuses, the corporate waters are finally calming—just in time for the boss to exit the submarine.

The resolution marks the end of a highly public tug-of-war surrounding the upcoming Subnautica 2. Gill, who was reinstated to his position by a judge’s order back in March, chose to depart on his own terms once the ink dried on the agreement. At the heart of the clash was a suite of developer bonuses that Krafton had originally gone to court to avoid paying—a financial hurdle the publisher has now agreed to clear to bring the legal drama to a close.

The details

• Studio: Unknown Worlds
• Publisher: Krafton
• Outgoing leadership: CEO Ted Gill (stepping down voluntarily)
• Settlement terms: Krafton to pay disputed developer bonuses

Why it matters

The resolution stabilizes the leadership and financial footing of the studio behind one of survival gaming's most prominent intellectual properties ahead of Subnautica 2. By settling the bonus dispute and resolving the executive standoff, both developer and publisher can pivot back to production without the shadow of ongoing litigation.