Krafton announced a leadership change at its creative studio, Unknown Worlds, on the 2nd.

Steve Papoutsis has been appointed as the new CEO of Unknown Worlds and will oversee the studio’s overall management and development. Steve Papoutsis previously served as the CEO of Striking Distance Studios.

With the appointment of Steve Papoutsis, the previous leaders of Unknown Worlds—Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire—have stepped down. Krafton stated, "While the co-founders of Unknown Worlds and the original creators of the 'Subnautica' series wished to continue their involvement in game development, we wish them the best in their next steps," adding, "We are confident that industry veteran Steve Papoutsis will inject new energy and momentum into the development of 'Subnautica 2'."

Krafton CEO CH Kim remarked, "Given the anticipation surrounding 'Subnautica 2', we have a duty to deliver the best possible game to our players as quickly as we can," noting, "We are pleased to have Steve Papoutsis join our plan to make 'Subnautica 2' a more complete and satisfying entry in the series, one that truly meets the expectations of our players."

Krafton plans to conduct regular milestone checks to monitor the progress of its creative studios. By focusing on clear metrics and objectives, Krafton aims to ensure that projects meet both creative vision and quality standards, with a particular emphasis on delivering the finished game in a timely manner.

New Unknown Worlds CEO Steve Papoutsis commented, "I am thrilled to take on this new role as part of Krafton and to work alongside the incredibly talented team at Unknown Worlds," adding, "The player experience is our primary goal. I would like to thank Ted, Charlie, and Max for their contributions to building this beloved world, and I am also grateful for the dedication and patience of our fans."