KRAFTON ANNOUNCES GAMING INDUSTRY VETERAN STEVE PAPOUTSIS AS NEW CEO OF UNKNOWN WORLDS

New leadership to prioritize development momentum and delivering best possible fan experience for long-anticipated Subnautica 2 launch.

SEOUL, South Korea, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KRAFTON, Inc., the global video game holding company and publisher, today announced a leadership change at its creative studio, Unknown Worlds.

Steve Papoutsis, gaming industry veteran, has been appointed CEO of Unknown Worlds, where he will oversee the studio's overall management and creative direction. Papoutsis joins the company from Striking Distance Studios, where he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer.

Papoutsis replaces the previous leadership team — Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — effective immediately. While KRAFTON sought to keep the Unknown Worlds' co-founders and original creators of the Subnautica series involved in the game's development, the company wishes them well on their next endeavors. Importantly, KRAFTON is confident that Papoutsis, with decades of experience behind the planning, development, and production of some of the highest-rated game franchises, will bring renewed energy and momentum to delivering the long-anticipated Subnautica 2 experience to fans.

KRAFTON, known for fan-favorite games like PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and inZOI, is listening to the fan base that has been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to continue their Subnautica adventures. This next chapter for Unknown Worlds is centered around a sustained commitment to and increased focus on delivering the game players expect.

"There is nothing more important than the gamer experience. Given the anticipation around Subnautica 2, we owe our players nothing less than the best possible game, as soon as possible," said CH Kim, KRAFTON's chief executive officer. "We are thrilled Steve is joining us in our shared commitment at KRAFTON and Unknown Worlds to deliver Subnautica 2 as a more complete and satisfying entry in the series—one that truly lives up to player expectations."

As part of its oversight, KRAFTON is committed to achieving regular milestones to assess progress across its creative studios. These reviews, based on clearly defined metrics and targets, will help ensure that games meet both creative and quality standards. This process is essential to delivering the right game at the right time. Unknown Worlds' new leadership fully supports this process and is committed to meeting player expectations.

"KRAFTON puts players at the heart of every decision because they deserve the absolute best," Kim added. "We understand how eager our community is to dive into the underwater world of Subnautica 2, and we are working diligently to deliver an experience that meets those expectations—while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality and player experience. We deeply appreciate the patience and trust of our Subnauts, and we are doing everything possible to ensure the final result is worth the wait."

"I am thrilled to be taking on this new role within the KRAFTON family and to be working alongside the immensely talented team at Unknown Worlds. Player experience is our North Star, and the team is laser-focused on delivering the best possible game for the Subnautica community. We appreciate Ted, Charlie and Max for their past roles in having built this beloved world, and thank the fans for your devotion and patience," said Steve Papoutsis, CEO of Unknown Worlds.

About KRAFTON, Inc.Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is home to globally renowned developers that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, VECTOR NORTH, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks and inZOI Studio. Each studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON's platforms and services.

KRAFTON is responsible for premier entertainment properties, including PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, inZOI, Subnautica, Hi-Fi Rush, Dinkum, and TERA. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company with world-class capabilities, continuously exploring new possibilities beyond gaming — including AI and other emerging technologies. For more information, visit www.krafton.com.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE KRAFTON, Inc.