Subnautica 2 leaks are real, Krafton confirms milestone review documents are authentic

The new Subnautica 2 leaks are authentic, Krafton has confirmed, revealing key insight into how the publisher assesses internal games projects.

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New developments have surfaced in the ongoing dispute between Krafton and Subnautica 2's leadership dev team. The controversy has evolved with back-and-forth claims, with Krafton alleging that the devs weren't focused enough, and the ousted Unknown Worlds creators even filing a lawsuit. Krafton, for its part, has issued multiple statements and explanations on what's going on, and even went so far as to confirm that a leaked document is real.

The leak shows an internal review of Subnautica 2's development. The sheet shows that as time went by, core features and content were cut out of Subnautica 2's early access version. Big parts of the game like extra modes were nixed, and 6 hours of narrative content was cut. This is not unusual for the industry--big swaths of content are cut all the time--however there's criticism that Krafton may have been unclear with what it wanted with Subnautica 2.

"Compared to the originally-planned early access launch specifications, the current target content volume has been reduced or adjusted across various elements such as biomes, creatures, equipment/progression, and features," one part of the document reads.

"Due to a gap between the current state and the content volume assumed during the initial launch planning, it is necessary to reassess the timeline and roadmap."

"To develop SN2 into KRAFTON's global franchise IP, it is recommended to enhance the content volume and level of polish before launching so that it can appeal to a broader market from the Early Access release stage."

This lack of content is partly why Krafton decided to delay Subnautica 2 outside of 2025.

Now, Krafton has confirmed the document is real with an official statement, offering more context on what the leak actually is:

The document that has been circulating on social media and reported by various outlets is indeed part of an internal milestone review conducted as part of the Subnautica 2 project. KRAFTON has confirmed that portions of it have been leaked and are now being widely shared across online platforms and within the fan community. KRAFTON recognizes the confusion this has caused.

Given these circumstances, KRAFTON has determined that transparent communication is necessary and has chosen to confirm the authenticity of the document. KRAFTON believes that minimizing speculation and ensuring accurate communication with players must take precedence.

Milestone reviews are conducted regularly in collaboration with KRAFTON's creative studios across all projects. These reviews help assess development progress, define clear objectives, and ensure that each project aligns with KRAFTON's standards in both creativity and quality. This process is central to KRAFTON's commitment to delivering polished, high-quality games at the right time.

KRAFTON will continue working closely with Unknown Worlds to ensure that Subnautica 2 meets the expectations of players who have supported the franchise over the years.