Game File

Game File

Share this post

Game File
Game File
The intensifying $250 million Subnautica 2 drama involves a developer known for radical transparency

The intensifying $250 million Subnautica 2 drama involves a developer known for radical transparency

Plus, a new Game File feature: This week's reporting brick walls.

Stephen Totilo's avatar
Stephen Totilo
Jul 11, 2025
∙ Paid
17

Share this post

Game File
Game File
The intensifying $250 million Subnautica 2 drama involves a developer known for radical transparency
1
2
Share
Video game screenshot that shows the first-person view of someone swimming underwater with propulsion gadgets attached to their hands. Another diver, in a full wetsuit, is off to the left
Subnautica 2. Screenshot: Unknown Worlds Entertainment, Krafton

A studio founder vs. publisher fight over Subnautica 2, Steam’s second-most wishlisted game is moving fast and getting plenty ugly.

It has an added twist. Charlie Cleveland, the developer who has been chiefly accused by his publisher of neglecting his studio’s game, has long been one of the most transparent people in the industry. And he had been been quite public about the attention he’d been paying to a film project, attention Krafton has since taken issue with.

The extent to which that will matter will become apparent in a dispute that has hit the lawsuit stage.

First, the latest in this fast-updating story:

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Game File to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Stephen Totilo
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share