KRAFTON acquires Subnautica studio Unknown Worlds Entertainment

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds parent company KRAFTON will acquire Subnautica series developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment, the company announced.

The acquisition strengthens KRAFTON’s expansion strategy of “securing and investing in top-tier talent that aspires to evolve, innovate, and create new experiences.” Unknown Worlds Entertainment will become the company’s sixth in-house studio, joining Bluehole Studio, Dreamotion, PUBG Studios, RisingWings, and Striking Distance Studios.

Under KRAFTON, Unknown Worlds Entertainment will continue to operate as an independent game studio. Its structure and leadership will remain in place. The studio is currently working on a new “genre-defining game” slated for release in Early Access in 2022.

“Unknown Worlds are incredibly skilled and passionate developers with an unparalleled gift for creativity and a proven track record of building successful player-driven worlds,” said KRAFTON CEO CH Kim, in a press release. “KRAFTON will spare no effort in helping them. Not only do they enhance our development capabilities, but we share a goal of creating unique experiences for global audiences.”

Unknown Worlds Entertainment CEO Charlie Cleveland added, “It was immediately apparent how closely Unknown Worlds and KRAFTON are aligned in the way we think about games and game development. Subnautica and PUBG both started humbly and evolved successfully through constant iteration and feedback. We want to bring new games to the world stage—and with KRAFTON, we’re a big step closer. We’re truly looking forward to our future together.”