Overview
- Multiple outlets reporting Thursday, citing The Korea Economic Daily, say Krafton has agreed or is set to pay the earnout to Unknown Worlds after Subnautica 2’s early access surge.
- The earnout contract reportedly pays Unknown Worlds $3.12 for every $1 of monthly revenue above $69.8 million, capped at $250 million, and Krafton says it is reviewing the payment criteria and amount.
- Subnautica 2, which launched in early access on May 14, sold millions of copies in its first week and generated analyst estimates of more than $100 million in revenue, putting the studio past the contract’s monthly threshold.
- The payout resolves the central issue from a year‑long legal dispute that saw Krafton fire Unknown Worlds’ founders in 2025 and a court order reinstate CEO Ted Gill and extend the earnout eligibility window to September 15, 2026.
- If paid in full, the capped bonus would be a material expense for Krafton — reported at roughly one‑third of last year’s operating profit — and Krafton’s final accounting and timing for the payment remain publicly unconfirmed.