A fresh legal challenge has arisen in the Subnautica 2 dispute as Unknown Worlds, the studio co-founded by Charlie Cleveland, Max McGuire, and Ted Gill, has initiated legal proceedings against its own creators. This follows KRAFTON’s recent lawsuit targeting the trio, intensifying scrutiny over their alleged departure from the project.

As KRAFTON’s subsidiary, Unknown Worlds’ involvement suggests a coordinated effort to challenge the defendants. The latest filing reportedly includes internal messages implying Cleveland and McGuire disengaged from Subnautica 2’s development to focus on private ventures, leaving colleagues to manage ongoing work.

Since Gill, Cleveland, and McGuire sued KRAFTON earlier, no further public statements have emerged from their side. The motive behind Unknown Worlds’ separate action remains unclear—whether it reflects team sentiment or corporate strategy.

Allegations mirror those in KRAFTON’s complaint, accusing the founders of neglecting duties and prioritizing a rushed release to secure performance-linked incentives. The lawsuit claims they aimed to ship an “unpolished, poorly reviewed title” to trigger a $250 million payout, risking the franchise’s reputation.

“Driven by personal gain, the defendants pressured the team to meet deadlines favoring their financial interests, disregarding potential harm to the game’s quality and community trust,” states the document.

Questions linger over whether Unknown Worlds’ move signals internal frustration or serves as a tactical escalation. KRAFTON did not respond to inquiries about studio staff alignment with the lawsuit prior to publication. Updates will follow if new details emerge.

With litigation likely to extend, transparency around pivotal decisions—such as development leadership and release timelines—may remain elusive, leaving fans and observers without full resolution.