Krafton Names Steve Papoutsis as New CEO of Unknown Worlds Amid Leadership Shift

Krafton has unveiled a new leadership structure at Unknown Worlds, with Steve Papoutsis stepping in as CEO, replacing the previous leadership team. The former leadership, including CEO Ted Gill, co-founder and creative director Charlie Cleveland, and co-founder and CTO Max McGuire, have departed the studio with immediate effect, without a specified reason. Krafton expressed its intention to involve the original creators of the Subnautica series in the development of its sequel. Papoutsis expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am excited to join the Krafton family and work with the talented team at Unknown Worlds. The team is dedicated to delivering an exceptional gaming experience for the Subnautica community. We appreciate the contributions of Ted, Charlie, and Max in shaping this beloved world and thank the fans for their loyalty and patience." Prior to his appointment, Papoutsis served as CEO of Striking Distance and held positions as general manager and vice president at Electronic Arts' Visceral Games. CH Kim, CEO of Krafton, emphasized the company's commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience, saying, "Given the high anticipation for Subnautica 2, we must provide our players with the best possible game as soon as possible." Kim added, "We are pleased to have Steve on board, sharing our vision at Krafton and Unknown Worlds to create a more comprehensive and satisfying Subnautica 2 that meets player expectations." Unknown Worlds, founded by Cleveland and McGuire in 2001, was acquired by Krafton in 2021.