Gaming publisher's CEO used ChatGPT in failed bid to avoid paying $250M bonus

10 hours ago

A South Korean gaming publisher, Krafton, used ChatGPT to plan the removal of the leadership of Unknown Worlds Entertainment to avoid paying a $250m earnout.
Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds, creators of Subnautica, for $500m in 2021, agreeing the studio would remain independent with leadership retaining operational control.
Internal projections showed Unknown Worlds would trigger the $250m earnout as they prepared to release Subnautica 2.
Krafton's CEO, Changhan Kim, felt the deal was unfair and sought ChatGPT's advice, forming an internal taskforce named Project X to negotiate or take over the studio.
Krafton removed the studio's leadership, alleging deception about their time spent at the studio, a claim rejected by the court.
A US court ordered Krafton to reverse the leadership removal and return operational control to the studio's CEO, Ted Gill.
Krafton disagreed with the ruling and stated it remains focused on delivering the best possible game for fans, working on Subnautica 2's early access release.

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