Brief Summary
This video discusses the ongoing legal battle between Krafton and the original creators of Subnautica, focusing on Krafton's attempts to compel a forensic examination of the founders' devices. The presenter analyses the situation, highlighting Krafton's shifting justifications for firing the founders and questioning the validity of their claims of misconduct. The presenter expresses frustration with Krafton's handling of the situation, particularly their claims of acting in the best interests of the fans.
- Krafton is trying to get access to the former developers devices.
- Krafton changed their reasons for firing the original developers.
- The presenter believes Krafton is not acting in the best interest of the fans.
Introduction
The video introduces a discussion about the legal dispute between Krafton and the original creators of Subnautica. The presenter refers to an article from gamesindustry.biz, which details Krafton's efforts to compel a forensic examination of the former Unknown Worlds founders' devices. The presenter intends to provide an update on the situation, advising viewers to check previous videos for background information.
Background of the Dispute
The original three creators of Subnautica believe they were wrongly fired and backed up company files as potential evidence. Krafton is now trying to prevent them from using this data in any legal proceedings. Initially, Krafton claimed the firing was to protect the Subnautica IP from a premature early access release of Subnautica 2. However, the presenter suggests Krafton has shifted its focus due to the founders possessing potentially damaging documents and emails.
Krafton's Legal Manoeuvres
Krafton filed further legal documents after their request for a court-ordered protective order was blocked. They sought to force the founders to turn over their devices for forensic inspection. The court denied this request, deeming it too invasive. Krafton is persisting with its efforts, supported by an affidavit from a forensic technology services firm. The presenter believes that Krafton is scared of the information that the original developers have.
Details of the Legal Complaint
The legal complaint against Krafton involves a $250 million bonus payout tied to revenue targets for Subnautica 2's early access release in 2025. The former shareholders allege that Krafton sought to avoid this payout by delaying the game. Krafton accused the former leaders of threatening to self-publish Subnautica 2 without their backing, leading to their termination. Krafton also alleges that the former leaders downloaded tens of thousands of company files and emails before their termination.
Analysis of Krafton's Claims
The presenter disputes Krafton's claim that the founders threatened to self-publish Subnautica 2, suggesting it was about retaining control over the game's development as per their purchase agreement. The presenter also points out that Krafton allegedly halted marketing and promotion for the game to delay its release and avoid the $250 million bonus. The presenter questions why downloading company files before termination is an issue, as the founders had a right to access them as directors.
The Significance of the Downloaded Files
The presenter believes the issue isn't the downloading of files itself, but the potential release of information that could damage Krafton. The presenter highlights that Krafton changed its story mid-litigation, dropping claims of protecting their IP and focusing on the file downloads. An affidavit stated numerous downloads occurred in June and July, indicative of a mass download of complete folders from Google Drive. The presenter believes the founders were gathering proof in anticipation of wrongful termination.
Founders' Defence and Krafton's Response
The founders deny wrongdoing, asserting their right to copy the files as company directors. Krafton claims they offered to extend the earnout period if the key employees returned to work, which the presenter finds dubious. Krafton alleges the founders refused, threatened to self-publish Subnautica 2, and stole confidential documents before being fired. The presenter argues that if the founders were anticipating termination, it makes no sense they would expect to capitalise on the earnout.
Krafton's Statement and Presenter's Reaction
A Krafton spokesperson stated that the latest filings highlight the former executives' misconduct, despite offering to extend their earnout period. The spokesperson also said that the former leaders refused to return to work, threatened to prematurely self-publish Subnautica 2, and stole confidential documents. The presenter expresses anger at Krafton's claim that their decisions are made for the fans, calling it "a load of baloney". The presenter believes Krafton is only concerned about its own well-being and not the fans' interests.
Conclusion
The presenter concludes that the situation is ongoing with no significant developments. They express disappointment that Krafton has not presented any concrete evidence to support their claims. The presenter is still waiting for something to actually happen and expresses concern about the future of Subnautica 2, given the drawn-out nature of the legal battle. The presenter invites viewers to share their thoughts and speculations on the case.
