This week has been tumultuous for Unknown Worlds Entertainment, as the studio’s leadership was abruptly replaced and Steve Papoutsis took over as CEO. Although the developers assured players that the day‑to‑day team structure remained intact, former founder Charlie Cleveland posted a personal statement on Reddit.
Cleveland reflected on the founding of the studio alongside Ted Gill and Max McGuire, noting how excited they were to bring ‘Subnautica 2’ into early access. Long‑time teammates who had joined decades ago poured their hearts into the title, and new talent, drawn by the game's passion and shared development vision, has also come aboard.
Despite being acutely aware of the high expectations, Cleveland stressed that the dev team is fully committed to the project and their hard work is undeniable. They had pioneered early‑access development, and the community appears to share that enthusiasm—‘early access is the optimal path for such games.’ Hence, the events of the week feel particularly shocking.
Cleveland said, ‘We know the game is ready for early access and players are eager to jump in. We originally thought this would be our own decision, but right now it’s in Krafton’s hands. After all these years, realizing I can no longer directly contribute to the company I helped found is heartbreaking.’