Subnautica 2 Early Access Launch: Steam's Most-Wishlisted Game Arrives Amid Bizarre ChatGPT Lawsuit Drama

After a year of corporate turmoil that saw its founders fired, a bizarre ChatGPT consultation, and a $250 million bonus dispute, Subnautica 2 finally launches into Early Access this week—and it's Steam's most-wishlisted game with over 5 million players waiting. But the legal battle isn't over yet.

For those unfamiliar with the saga, what should have been a straightforward sequel to one of the most beloved survival games of the past decade has instead become a cautionary tale about corporate governance, developer autonomy, and the dangers of relying on AI for legal strategy. It's a story that has captivated the gaming community as much as the promise of exploring a new alien ocean—a world filled with the terror of the deep and the thrill of discovery that made the original a genre-defining experience.

The Launch That Almost Wasn't

Subnautica 2 releases on May 14, 2025, in Early Access on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version delayed. Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment—a subsidiary of PUBG publisher Krafton—the game arrives with expectations that would crush a lesser title. The original Subnautica scored an 89% from PC Gamer in 2018, earning its place as a genre-defining experience that combined exploration, survival, and genuine terror in equal measure.

The sequel's Early Access period is expected to last two to three years, with updates gradually adding new biomes, creatures, craftables, and narrative content before the version 1.0 release. At launch, players will receive the first biome, three initial creatures, and basic crafting—with major updates planned every three to four months. The game is priced at $29.99, consistent with Unknown Worlds' previous Early Access titles. For the 5 million players who have wishlisted the game on Steam—more than any other title on the platform—that's a long wait, but one they've proven willing to endure.

Yet the road to launch has been anything but smooth. Behind the scenes, a corporate saga unfolded that reads like a fever dream of bad decision-making and worse legal strategy.

The $250 Million Firing Fiasco

In July 2024—nearly a year before launch—Krafton CEO Changhan Kim made a decision that would set off a chain reaction of legal battles and public relations disasters. He fired Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill and founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire. The alleged motive? Avoiding a $250 million bonus tied to Subnautica 2's sales.

Krafton's justifications shifted like sand. First, the company claimed the firings were over plans for a "premature release" that would cause "irreversible harm" to the IP. Then, the story changed to "abandonment" of jobs and theft of confidential data. To industry observers, these shifting explanations reeked of a company trying to find any legal hook to justify what looked like a straightforward attempt to stiff developers out of their promised compensation.

The case landed in Delaware's Court of Chancery, where Judge Lori Will would deliver a ruling that will be studied in business schools and law offices for years to come.

ChatGPT as a Corporate Advisor: The Legal Fallout

Here's where the story takes an absurd turn. During the proceedings, evidence emerged that Changhan Kim had consulted ChatGPT for advice on how to cancel the bonus. Judge Lori Will did not mince words in her ruling, describing the move as "one of the most embarrassing ChatGPT uses on record." ChatGPT, while useful for drafting emails or brainstorming ideas, lacks the legal expertise to navigate complex corporate bonus structures—a fact the judge highlighted in her ruling.

The specifics are almost too perfect to be real. Kim reportedly asked the AI to help strategize a way out of paying the bonus, apparently unaware that such consultations could—and would—be brought up in court. The judge ruled the firings invalid, ordering Krafton to reinstate Ted Gill as CEO and extend the bonus eligibility deadline.

It was a rare legal victory for developers against a parent company, and one that sent a clear message: corporate governance cannot be outsourced to language models, no matter how sophisticated they appear.

Krafton complied with the ruling but quickly announced the May early access window before Gill could resume control—a move he publicly objected to, signaling that the tension between the parent company and its subsidiary is far from resolved. As of this writing, Krafton has not announced an appeal, and the bonus dispute remains unresolved pending further legal proceedings.

What This Means for Subnautica 2's Future

The Subnautica 2 Steam page no longer lists Krafton as publisher, though Krafton remains a "supporting" subsidiary for the early access launch. This symbolic distancing suggests Unknown Worlds is eager to reassert its identity separate from the corporate controversy.

CEO Ted Gill's statement on the launch is measured but optimistic: "We're excited for players to experience Subnautica 2, beginning 14th May. Our team cannot wait to hear your feedback as the game evolves throughout Early Access."

The legal battle raises fundamental questions about developer autonomy, bonus structures, and corporate governance in the gaming industry. When a parent company can fire founders over a $250 million bonus—and then consult an AI for legal cover—it highlights the precarious position of even successful development studios within larger corporate structures.

Yet for all the chaos, the game itself remains the focus. Unknown Worlds has a proven track record of delivering quality survival experiences, and the Early Access model allows the team to iterate based on player feedback. The two-to-three-year development window suggests ambition and confidence in the game's core design.

What's Next for Players and the Legal Saga

The launch of Subnautica 2 is a testament to the developers' resilience. They've weathered a storm that would have sunk a lesser studio, emerging with their game intact and their autonomy restored—at least for now.

As the Early Access journey begins, players will ultimately decide if the game lives up to its wishlist hype. The 5 million who have already signaled their interest represent a massive vote of confidence. Whether Krafton's corporate meddling was worth the reputational damage is a question only time—and sales figures—will answer.

When you dive into Subnautica 2's alien ocean, you'll be exploring a world built by developers who fought to keep their vision alive. The game's Early Access launch isn't just a milestone—it's a victory lap for a team that refused to let corporate greed sink their creation. One thing is certain: the most treacherous waters weren't in the game at all.