Subnautica 2 will launch in early access on PC and Xbox in May, ending months of uncertainty for fans of the underwater survival series. The announcement comes just a day after a judge ordered the reinstatement of former Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, who was fired by parent company Krafton last year.

The legal battle stems from Krafton's 2021 acquisition of Unknown Worlds, which included a potential $250 million payout if performance goals were met by late 2025. When Krafton fired key studio leaders and delayed the sequel's early access launch last July, questions arose about whether the company was trying to avoid that massive payment.

With the court ruling requiring Gill's return, Krafton says it's evaluating its options moving forward. The studio has not provided a specific May release date, and ongoing litigation could still impact the early access timeline. After a year of delays and legal drama, fans may finally get to explore the depths of Subnautica 2's underwater world next month.