Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the Subnautica series, has clarified that its ongoing work on Subnautica 2 continues uninterrupted despite a shake-up at the top. On July 2, Krafton—the studio’s parent company—announced the departure of co-founders Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire from their executive roles, and the appointment of Steve Papoutsis, former head of Striking Distance Studios, as the new CEO.

In a community update issued on July 4, the developer emphasized that the core team responsible for Subnautica 2 development has remained unchanged for years. This group includes veteran contributors from the original Subnautica as well as new hires brought on board specifically to help realize the sequel’s ambitions.

Papoutsis has reportedly embraced the existing roadmap for Subnautica 2 and is providing active support toward its planned Early Access launch. Unknown Worlds reiterated its dedication to preserving the series’ signature focus on exploration and discovery.

The studio also addressed concerns about monetization and multiplayer structure, confirming that Subnautica 2 will prioritize a solo experience with optional cooperative multiplayer and will omit subscriptions, loot boxes, battle passes, and microtransactions.

While development itself will continue with the same team, Unknown Worlds cautioned that the Early Access release window may shift slightly as the new leadership settles in. Further scheduling details will be announced soon.

Reaffirming its commitment to “open development,” the studio noted that hundreds of community members have already contributed feedback through early playtests. Under Krafton’s full backing, Unknown Worlds says it is focused on meeting high quality standards and exceeding fan expectations.