Krafton
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Subnautica 2 and PUBG bolster Krafton's Q2 revenue
Krafton reported record second-quarter revenue of ₩1.29 trillion ($889.1 million), a 94.9 percent increase, driven by the success of Subnautica 2 and the PUBG franchise. The company also saw operating profit rise 67 percent to ₩410.9 billion ($283.1 million).
Subnautica 2’s 5M+ box sales helped Krafton reach record-setting second quarter earnings for this year
Krafton reported record-setting second quarter earnings, driven by over 5 million sales of Subnautica 2 within 22 days of its early access release and continued growth of PUBG. Despite a net profit deficit due to a $250 million payout to Unknown Worlds, the company plans to develop Subnautica into a lasting franchise IP.
You might not hear that much about it anymore, but the PUBG series grew its revenue by 25% in the first half of 2026
Krafton announced that the PUBG intellectual property collectively generated 25% more revenue in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by PUBG: Battlegrounds, PUBG Mobile, and Battlegrounds Mobile India, with recent collaborations and new modes cited as key factors. The company also noted strong early access performance for Subnautica 2, leading to its development as a franchise IP.
Krafton have big plans for Subnautica, after the second game's once-divisive co-op "confirmed the potential to expand beyond the existing fan base"
Krafton sees significant potential for the Subnautica franchise, aiming for it to become their second major IP after PUBG. The company noted that over five million units of Subnautica 2 have been sold since its early access launch, with a substantial portion of new players not having experienced previous titles, a success attributed partly to the inclusion of a co-op mode. Krafton plans to expand the Subnautica IP long-term, exploring possibilities beyond just sequels.
Krafton pledges to turn Subnautica into "franchise IP" after Subnautica 2 surpasses 5m sales in just 22 days
Krafton has announced its intention to develop the Subnautica series into a franchise IP following the success of Subnautica 2, which sold over 5 million units in its first 22 days of early access on Xbox Series X/S and PC. The company also addressed past legal disputes with Unknown Worlds developers, confirming a settlement that includes bonuses for staff.
Subnautica 2 is responsible for Krafton's 'record second quarter performance' despite the messy legal battle and accusations of sabotage
Krafton announced a record second quarter performance, driven by the success of Subnautica 2, which has sold 5 million copies. Despite a tumultuous development period involving legal battles and accusations of sabotage between Krafton and developer Unknown Worlds, the game's early access launch was successful. The company's revenue and operating profit reached their highest points for the second quarter, though net profit showed a deficit due to acquisition and earnout costs.
Subnautica and PUBG franchises drive Krafton Q2 revenue up 94.9% to $889.1m
Krafton reported a record second quarter with revenue up 94.9% to $889.1 million and operating profit up 67% to $283.1 million, driven by the success of Unknown Worlds' Subnautica 2 and the PUBG franchise. Subnautica 2 surpassed five million units sold in Early Access, while PUBG revenue increased 25% year-over-year. Krafton plans to announce five new titles by 2027, including new projects based on the PUBG IP.
ONE skipped the claim page entirely and dropped CPLY into wallets, with no deadline attached
The gaming chain ONE, formerly known as CROSS, has distributed its CPLY token directly to qualified wallets via its ONEquest reward platform, bypassing the usual claim page. Details regarding the number of eligible wallets, total distribution, and eligibility criteria remain unpublished. This distribution method, described as 'No claim page, no deadline,' is part of ONE's rebranding from CROSS and follows Nexus's acquisition of a significant stake in One Store.
Saudi-led EA buyout receives EU approval, Xbox trials ad-supported game streaming, and Poinpy is eternal - Patch Notes #62
The European Commission has approved the Saudi-led buyout of Electronic Arts, while Xbox is trialing ad-supported game streaming for select titles. Separately, the mobile platformer Poinpy has returned, and news emerges about a revived Kinect game, scrapped Pokémon designs, and legal disputes involving Nintendo and Bethesda employees.
Nexus rebrands CROSS gaming chain as ONE, wiring it into a 38-million-device app marketplace
Nexus has rebranded its CROSS gaming chain to OneChain and its $CROSS token to $ONE, integrating them with the recently acquired Korean app marketplace, One Store. This move aims to transform One Store into a global Web3 game store accessible on over 38 million devices. The company, led by CEO Henry Chang, also plans to merge various web shop, payment, and community platforms into One Store, with future ambitions for an AI-native game platform.
One Store becomes a CROSS validator, bringing a 38-million-device app market onto the gamechain
Nexus announced that One Store, a Korean app marketplace pre-installed on over 38 million devices, has joined the CROSS Protocol network as a validator. This move makes One Store responsible for block production, transaction validation, and network security on CROSS Mainnet 2.0. The partnership follows Nexus's acquisition of a majority stake in One Store, with plans to rebrand the mainnet as OneChain and the native token as $ONE.
Alpha Dog Games returns to independence two years after being shuttered by Xbox
Alpha Dog Games, the developer of Mighty Doom, has returned to independent ownership two years after being shut down by Microsoft. Studio founder Shawn Woods confirmed the transition, expressing gratitude to Microsoft for enabling the return. The studio is updating its Unity-based engine and is in discussions with partners, though specific projects remain undisclosed.
Another former Xbox studio is "independently owned, again" after Microsoft shut it down in 2024
Alpha Dog Games, a studio previously shut down by Microsoft in 2024, has reemerged as an independently owned entity. Studio founder Shawn Woods updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect the change, indicating the studio regained independence in May 2025. This follows a trend of studios becoming independent after Microsoft's recent closures and layoffs.
Gamescom 2026 is Completely Sold Out of Exhibition Spaces
Gamescom 2026 has completely sold out all exhibition space, with organizers the German Games Industry Association and Koelnmesse confirming the presence of numerous major companies including Bandai Namco, CD Projekt Red, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Xbox. The event will showcase games such as Metro Exodus and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past. Organizers are exploring expansion options for 2027 due to high demand.
Is Game Pass Still the Right Strategy for Xbox?
This article analyzes the current state and future strategy of Xbox Game Pass, questioning its sustainability and impact on game value. Despite initial excitement and acquisitions to bolster its library, internal sentiment appears negative, with reports of studios detesting the service and subscriber growth falling short of projections. While Game Pass remains a key, albeit paradoxical, component of Xbox's offerings, its future is uncertain amidst internal challenges and a need for renewed growth.
In the age of AI and layoffs, playing old games in 2026 is about more than nostalgia
In 2026, the author finds solace in playing older video games as a coping mechanism against the backdrop of AI advancements and widespread layoffs in the industry. This retreat into retro titles like Pokemon Leaf Green and Diablo 2 offers a sense of comfort and nostalgia, providing a temporary escape from the anxieties surrounding the current state of game development and corporate practices. Despite the industry's challenges, the author finds a glimmer of optimism in the progress made regarding representation, workplace conditions, and unionization.
PUBG is the original battle royale game and probably still the best
PUBG: Battlegrounds remains a premier battle royale experience, praised for its foundational gameplay mechanics and tactical depth that have stood the test of time. Despite the emergence of other titles like Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG's methodical pace and emphasis on positioning and accuracy continue to offer a unique and rewarding social action experience.
Glen Schofield Talks $200 Million Call Of Duty Games, Canceled Vietnam Game, And How Dead Space Came To Be
Veteran game developer Glen Schofield is retiring from day-to-day development and discussed his career, including a canceled third-person Call of Duty game set in Vietnam and the significant budgets of Call of Duty titles. He also shared the story of how he pitched and created the sci-fi horror game Dead Space at Electronic Arts against initial company reluctance.
PUBG Is Finally Fixing One Of Its Biggest New Player Hurdles
Krafton Inc. has released an update for PUBG: Battlegrounds aimed at improving the new player experience. The update introduces a revamped Basic Training mode, enhanced team communication features, and quality-of-life tweaks to existing modes and maps. These changes are intended to address a key hurdle in attracting new players to the long-running battle royale title.
"We've seen how close you can get": How studio closures pushed Suzerain's maker to create two new DLCs and a turn-based strategy spinoff
Torpor Games, the studio behind the political strategy game Suzerain, has announced three new projects: two DLCs and a turn-based strategy spinoff, all set to release before their next flagship title, The Conformist. These expansions, including 'Suzerain Stories: The Neutral Lens,' 'Wars of Suzerain,' and 'Socialist Republic of Galmland,' aim to deepen the existing world and engage players with new perspectives and mechanics. The studio also secured investment from Sisu Game Ventures, 1Up Ventures, and Krafton to support these new ventures and ensure the continued development of Suzerain.
