Brief Summary
This video discusses the messy legal dispute between Crafton and the founders of Unknown Worlds regarding Subnautica 2. Crafton initially claimed the founders were terminated for pushing an unfinished game, but they've now dropped this argument, leading to confusion and raising questions about whether Subnautica 2 was actually ready for early access. The video explores the implications of this U-turn, Crafton's new focus on accusations of abandoned posts and stolen documents, and the potential impact on the game's development and release.
- Crafton drops key claim about Subnautica 2's readiness.
- Focus shifts to accusations of founders abandoning posts and taking documents.
- Questions arise about Subnautica 2's actual development status and potential early access readiness.
Introduction
The video introduces a discussion about recent developments in the Subnautica 2 lawsuit, focusing on an article from PC Gamer. The presenter highlights a significant U-turn by Crafton, the owner of Unknown Worlds, in their legal battle with the ousted founders of the studio. This shift in argument raises questions about Crafton's motives and the actual state of Subnautica 2's development.
Crafton's U-Turn in the Subnautica 2 Lawsuit
Crafton has dropped its key claim that the founders of Unknown Worlds were terminated because they wanted to release Subnautica 2 before it was ready. This argument, which was central to Crafton's initial justification for the termination, has been abandoned after the founders sought discovery, requesting evidence to support Crafton's claims. The judge and the founders' legal representatives have expressed bewilderment at this sudden change in strategy.
New Focus: Abandonment and Confidential Information
Instead of arguing about the game's readiness, Crafton is now focusing on the claim that the founders abandoned their posts and deceived their employer. They also accuse the founders of downloading files and keeping devices with confidential information. This accusation only surfaced after the termination, raising questions about its relevance to the case. Crafton has filed a motion to forensically inspect the founders' devices, which the founders are contesting.
Discovery Disputes and "Earnout"
The founders have accused Crafton of intentionally delaying the game to avoid paying a $250 million "earnout" (a payment triggered by achieving specific financial goals). They are seeking emails and documents related to the earnout, but Crafton is only willing to provide data from a limited number of people high up in the company. A dispute has arisen over the scope of documents Crafton is willing to provide, specifically those where the word "earnout" intersects with the word "termination". The judge has criticised this narrow approach.
Judge's Frustration and Unanswered Questions
The judge agreed that the number of custodians (people possessing relevant data) requested by the plaintiffs was too high, but stressed that the parties needed to confer, something Crafton had previously declined to do after changing its argument. The judge expressed frustration with Crafton's behaviour. Despite the agreement to confer, the reasons behind Crafton's U-turn remain unclear, especially given their previous insistence that the state of Subnautica 2 was a key factor in the founders' termination.
Implications and Speculation
The presenter speculates on the reasons behind Crafton's change of heart, suggesting they may have overestimated their position and underestimated the need to provide evidence in a US court. The presenter questions whether Crafton's unwillingness to prove Subnautica 2 was not ready for early access implies that it actually was ready. The presenter supports the Subnautica 2 dev team and hopes the game will be great.
Crafton's Control and Potential Outcomes
The presenter notes that Crafton now controls Unknown Worlds, meaning any statements from the studio are effectively from Crafton. The presenter reiterates that the core issue is whether the founders were wrongly terminated, especially given the potential payout they were in line for. If Crafton cannot justify the termination, the consequences for Subnautica 2's development and release remain uncertain.
Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
The presenter summarises the situation, highlighting that Crafton was asked to "bring the receipts" to back up their claims but then backed down. The presenter encourages viewers to share their opinions and disagreements in the comments, emphasising a willingness to admit if they have misread or misunderstood anything. The presenter also promotes other videos on the channel.
