Krafton CEO Changhan Kim faced a [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In a remarkable twist of corporate fate, Krafton CEO Changhan Kim found himself navigating the turbulent waters of a 0 million bonus promise to the heads of the game studio he acquired. With the highly anticipated Subnautica 2 now the most-wishlisted game on Steam, the pressure mounted to fulfill that commitment. Faced with this financial dilemma, Kim sought counsel from ChatGPT, leading to the controversial decision to terminate the studio heads without a solid justification—an act that ultimately backfired.
The Unfolding Drama
The saga began in July 2025 when Ted Gill, CEO of Unknown Worlds, along with founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, were abruptly dismissed. Krafton initially claimed their termination was due to concerns over the premature release of Subnautica 2, alleging that the game was flawed enough to jeopardize the entire franchise. However, this reasoning raised eyebrows, especially given that a feature story on the game was in the works at PC Gamer just prior to the firing.
As the legal battle unfolded, it became clear that the 0 million bonus was a significant factor in the studio heads' dismissal. Reports indicated that part of this bonus would have been shared with the studio staff, raising questions about Krafton's motives. The ousted executives contended that the claims regarding the game's readiness were fabricated to avoid the hefty payout.
In court, Krafton shifted its narrative, asserting that the studio heads had "abandoned" their roles and taken confidential data with them. However, the judge noted that the data backup occurred after their termination, which undermined Krafton's justification for the dismissals.
A CEO's AI Consultation
Adding an unusual twist to the proceedings, it was revealed that Kim had consulted ChatGPT for advice on navigating the bonus situation. Initially denying this, he later admitted to using the AI to seek "faster answers." The judge remarked on the irony of a CEO relying on artificial intelligence to devise a corporate strategy, ultimately ruling that Gill should be reinstated as CEO of Unknown Worlds and extending the bonus eligibility deadline.
Despite disagreeing with the ruling, Krafton complied, albeit with some tension. The company announced a May early access release for Subnautica 2, much to Gill's chagrin, as he had not yet resumed control. Although Krafton remains the parent company, the Steam page for Subnautica 2 no longer lists it as the publisher, indicating a shift in branding.
The Anticipation Builds
As the early access launch approaches, the gaming community is left to ponder whether Krafton's assertions about the game's unreadiness will be validated. Subnautica has established itself as a beloved title, earning an 89% rating from PC Gamer in 2018, and expectations are high for its sequel. Cleveland has expressed confusion over the claims that the game required additional development time, asserting that it was ready for release.
With the early access launch set for May 14, the team at Unknown Worlds aims to deliver a polished experience, promising updates that will enhance gameplay and introduce new content over the next two to three years. As they embark on this journey, they invite players to engage in the development process, ensuring that Subnautica 2 evolves into a rich and immersive experience." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million bonus promise to the heads of Unknown Worlds, leading to their abrupt dismissal in July 2025. The terminations were initially justified by concerns over the premature release of Subnautica 2, which was the most-wishlisted game on Steam. However, this reasoning was questioned as a feature story on the game was being prepared at PC Gamer prior to the firings. Legal proceedings revealed that the bonus was a significant factor in the dismissals, with claims that the game was not ready being disputed by the ousted executives. Krafton's narrative shifted in court, claiming the studio heads had "abandoned" their roles, but evidence showed data backups occurred after their termination. Kim admitted to consulting ChatGPT for advice on the situation. The judge ruled that Ted Gill should be reinstated as CEO, extending the bonus eligibility deadline. Krafton complied with the ruling and announced a May early access release for Subnautica 2, although the game is no longer listed under Krafton as the publisher on Steam. The early access launch is set for May 14, with Unknown Worlds promising updates and player engagement in the development process.
