Subnautica 2 helped Krafton post its best second quarter yet, but the bottom line stayed red
Krafton reported KRW 1.29 trillion in quarterly revenue and KRW 410.9 billion in operating profit, while net profit fell to a KRW 29.9 billion deficit.
Subnautica 2 has become a major part of Krafton’s latest financial success, even as the game remained tied to a long-running legal dispute with former Unknown Worlds leadership. Krafton reported its strongest second-quarter results on record, crediting the survival game and continued growth from the PUBG brand as the main reasons.
The publisher reported KRW 1.29 trillion in second-quarter revenue and KRW 410.9 billion in operating profit. Both figures were the highest Krafton had recorded for a second quarter.
PC revenue also passed KRW 500 billion for the first time. Console and mobile revenue increased year over year as well, although PC generated more than either of those segments.
Subnautica 2 turned a messy launch story into a financial win
Subnautica 2 reached early access on May 14, 2026, after a turbulent period for Unknown Worlds. In 2025, Krafton removed the studio’s leadership and delayed the sequel’s early access release. The publisher later accused former studio leaders of abandoning the project.
The former leaders pushed back with allegations that Krafton had delayed the game to avoid paying a promised $250 million earnout. The dispute reached court, where a judge ordered Krafton to reinstate Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill and extend the period available to earn the bonus.
The conflict continued even after the court ruling. Krafton announced the early access date, while Gill said the timing had been presented to him without warning and accused the publisher of trying to damage the game’s prospects.
Despite the turmoil, the sequel launched and found an audience quickly. It passed 5 million copies sold in July, a milestone covered alongside the game’s first early access update. That update added stun options for creatures and made several adjustments to underwater base construction, including changes to the Tadpole Dock and storage systems.
Gill later left Unknown Worlds voluntarily. Krafton also agreed to pay bonuses connected to the earnout, meaning the studio’s staff will receive payments tied to the game’s performance.
Operating profit rose, but net profit remained negative
Krafton’s record operating profit does not tell the whole financial story. The publisher reported a KRW 29.9 billion net loss for the quarter, despite the KRW 410.9 billion operating profit.
The acquisition connected to Unknown Worlds and the later $250 million earnout added major costs. In simple terms, Subnautica 2 brought in enough business to help drive a record quarter, but Krafton’s spending left the company with a deficit at the net-profit level.
Subnautica 2’s early access run is still underway, so its future updates and sales will remain important to Krafton’s results. The game’s first major sales milestone arrived alongside the first early access update, giving the publisher another reason to point to the sequel when discussing its performance.
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Subnautica 2
Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure set on an all-new alien world, developed by Unknown Worlds. Play alone or with friends in 4-player co-op. Adapt to survive by building custom bases and crafting tools. Explore the unknown to uncover the mysteries hidden within the depths.
- Genre: Adventure
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Perspective: First person
- Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release: 2026-05-14
- Publisher: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
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Age Rating:
- IGDB Rating: 90.0/100
