Krafton, the powerhouse behind PUBG Battlegrounds, continues its aggressive expansion in the gaming industry with the acquisition of Unknown Worlds, creators of the acclaimed open-world survival hit Subnautica.
In recent years, Krafton has strategically acquired studios to diversify its offerings and foster innovative content for players worldwide. This marks the sixth studio under Krafton's umbrella, joining PUBG Studios, Rising Wings, Bluehole Studios, Striking Distance Studios, and Dreamotion.
The acquisition was announced via press release, with financial terms undisclosed. Krafton has committed to letting Unknown Worlds operate independently, preserving its leadership and creative identity.
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Founded by Charlie Cleveland in May 2001, Unknown Worlds rose to fame with the Subnautica series and Natural Selection. Subnautica immerses players on an alien ocean planet, where survival hinges on exploration, resource gathering, and evading deadly sea creatures. Its massive popularity led to the 2021 sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero.
"Unknown Worlds are incredibly skilled and passionate developers with an unparalleled gift for creativity and a proven track record of creating successful player-driven worlds," said CH Kim, CEO of Krafton, Inc. "Krafton will spare no effort to help them. Not only do they enhance our development capabilities, but we share the goal of creating unique experiences for a global audience."
Unknown Worlds CEO Charlie Cleveland added, "It was immediately apparent how aligned Unknown Worlds and Krafton are in the way we think about games and game development. Both Subnautica and PUBG started humble and have evolved successfully through constant iteration and feedback. We want to bring new games to the world stage and with Krafton, we are getting a big step closer."
The studio is developing a new genre-defining title set for early access reveal in 2022. Krafton's backing promises access to a broader audience and enhanced resources.
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