Krafton CEO’s Alleged Use of ChatGPT Sparks Legal Battle Over Subnautica 2 Founders’ $250 Million Bonus
The legal drama surrounding Krafton and Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds has taken an explosive turn. A new legal filing reveals that Krafton’s CEO, CH Kim, discussed a potential takeover of the studio in Slack messages and allegedly used ChatGPT to brainstorm ways to avoid paying the $250 million bonus to the former leads, Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire. This comes as a surprise, given that Unknown Worlds itself recently sued its founders for allegedly stealing game design files.
The founders claim that Krafton’s CEO and the newly-appointed CFO, Richard Yoon, discussed a takeover over Slack and used ChatGPT for ideas on how to avoid the bonus payment. They also allege that a ‘secret task force’ was set up to take over the studio. The filing states that Krafton’s CEO became frustrated with the acquisition contract, feeling it was a bad deal for the company.
In response, Krafton issued a statement, emphasizing their commitment to delivering the best possible experience for players. They argued that the former leaders showed little interest in the development of Subnautica 2, which has always been their top priority. The company also mentioned that the trial revolves around the plaintiffs’ request to be restored to jobs they were not doing and had no interest in, despite previous requests.
Despite the legal wrangling, Unknown Worlds has continued to develop Subnautica 2, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a new deep-sea predator and the team’s use of Unreal Engine 5 AI for lifelike behavior. This development update provides a glimpse into the game’s progress, offering a contrast to the ongoing legal battle.