Why did the court reinstate Subnautica 2's CEO?

Court ruling forces publisher to back down — and why it matters

A Delaware judge ordered Krafton to reinstate the ousted CEO of Unknown Worlds, the studio working on Subnautica 2, and returned operational control of the game's early access release to that executive. The ruling is the outcome of a high‑stakes legal fight between the developer’s co‑founders and their publisher, and it effectively undoes Krafton’s earlier decision to fire the studio leadership.

Key elements of the judgment

• Reinstatement and control: the court directed that the previously removed CEO be restored to his role and granted authority over the timing of the Subnautica 2 early access release.
• Financial implications: the order revived discussion around a proposed $250 million bonus package that had been tied to performance milestones; the ruling leaves mechanisms around that package back on the table.
• Judicial criticism of publisher tactics: the judge openly criticised Krafton for relying on AI‑generated legal advice, saying parts of its strategy were informed by ChatGPT and that some actions looked designed to avoid contractual obligations.

What happens next

Krafton has said it is "evaluating its options" in response to the decision. Practically, the ruling could delay or complicate the studio’s roadmap as management is reinstalled and release plans are reassessed under the restored leadership. It also raises broader industry questions about corporate control of studios, the role of automated tools in legal decision‑making, and how contractual disputes can directly affect development schedules and employee compensation.