Unknown Worlds Takes Former Leadership to Court Over Alleged Breach of Employment Contract and Fiduciary Duty

A lawsuit has been filed by Unknown Worlds against its former executives, Charlie Cleveland, Adam McGuire, and Ted Gill, citing breaches of their employment agreements, equity purchase agreement, and fiduciary duty of care as directors. According to a heavily redacted court filing, the trio allegedly threatened to take legal action against parent company Krafton and demanded a specific release date for Subnautica 2, prioritizing personal interests over the company's goals. The complaint also reveals that the former leaders downloaded a large volume of company files and emails before their termination, which they have refused to return or confirm the location of. This development is linked to a broader dispute over a $250 million bonus payout tied to the game's revenue targets, which the former shareholders claim Krafton attempted to avoid by delaying the game's release using 'pressure tactics'. The publisher maintains that it requested a delay to ensure the game's quality and protect player trust.