Unknown Worlds, a creative studio under KRAFTON, has issued an official statement following backlash from Korean users after the game's early access launch.

On the 20th, Fernando Melo, Executive Producer of 'Subnautica 2,' stated, "I fully understand that we need to provide a clearer response to the concerns recently raised by our Korean players." He added, "I am well aware that recent comments made by our team may have come across as dismissive of our players, and I sincerely apologize for this."

This statement comes amid growing controversy over comments made by developers on Discord and concerns regarding the lack of defensive options against hostile creatures. Previously, a developer from Unknown Worlds drew criticism on the official Discord server after responding to a user inquiry about the non-lethal system by suggesting, in effect, that the game is not about killing and that those who want to fight should play a different game.

Producer Melo first acknowledged the issues with creature balance. He stated, "We recognize that encounters with some predators currently feel more frustrating than tense or engaging," adding, "We also know that the tools available to deal with threats are not yet sufficiently intuitive or satisfying."

He explained that future updates will include adjustments to creature attack timing, aggro ranges, flare effects, survival tool efficacy, and interactions between creatures, vehicles, and bases, which will be implemented sequentially through a series of patches.

Regarding the combat system, he maintained a cautious stance. While acknowledging requests for direct countermeasures, including the ability to kill hostile creatures, Melo reaffirmed the series' core identity, stating, "Subnautica has always been built around exploration and survival in the face of threats in an alien environment, rather than traditional weapon-based combat."

At the same time, he distanced himself from the tone of the previous Discord comments, adding, "It is not my intention to criticize players who want combat, nor do I think those players are wrong."

He also clarified the development team's perspective on early access. "I believe early access is not just a process for collecting bug reports, but a collaboration with the community," he emphasized. "Early access should be a dialogue with our players, not a one-sided explanation from the development team."