Krafton has announced a record-breaking second quarter, achieving KRW 1.29 trillion in revenue and KRW 410.9 billion in operating profit. This financial success is primarily attributed to the performance of Unknown Worlds' Subnautica 2, a title that navigated a complex and contentious development period. The company highlighted that the success of Subnautica 2 and the consistent growth of the PUBG intellectual property were the principal drivers behind these record figures.
PC revenue for Krafton surpassed KRW 500 billion for the first time, marking a significant increase compared to console and mobile revenue, though those segments also saw year-over-year growth. However, the publisher's net profit for the quarter showed a deficit of KRW 29.9 billion, a figure impacted by the substantial costs associated with the acquisition of Unknown Worlds and the $250 million earnout promised to the studio.
The path to Subnautica 2's early access launch in May was fraught with drama. In 2025, Krafton ousted Unknown Worlds' leadership, leading to accusations that the publisher had delayed the game to avoid paying the promised earnout. A judge intervened, forcing Krafton to reinstate Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill and extend the earnout period. Shortly thereafter, Krafton announced an imminent early access release, which Gill perceived as a final attempt to sabotage the game and circumvent payment obligations.
Ultimately, Subnautica 2 launched successfully, selling over 5 million copies. Following the launch and the achievement of its sales milestone, Ted Gill departed Unknown Worlds voluntarily. His departure followed the resolution of the legal disputes and the successful release of the game, with Unknown Worlds staff set to receive bonuses from the earnout. Krafton has sought to move past the conflict by celebrating the game's commercial triumph and its contribution to the company's record financial quarter. Despite the record operating profit, the significant expenditures have resulted in a net loss for the period.