In what can be described as a significant victory for Ukrainian game studio Frogwares, the prolonged legal tussle with former publisher Nacon has culminated in a triumph for the creators of the 2019 Lovecraftian adventure game, “The Sinking City.”
Frogwares has emerged not only victorious but also as the exclusive publisher of the game across all platforms, paving the way for an updated version of this enigmatic title.
The dispute between Frogwares and Nacon began soon after the release of “The Sinking City” in 2019. The root of the conflict lay in multiple grievances: Frogwares accused Nacon of delayed payments during the game’s development and of demanding the turnover of the game’s source code, a request Frogwares refused.
The studio also alleged that Nacon tried to retroactively cancel approved milestones post-launch, effectively depriving them of profits, and raised concerns over inconsistencies in sales figure calculations.
In response, Nacon denied these allegations and announced plans to pursue legal actions to seek redress. The situation escalated in 2020 when Frogwares requested the removal of “The Sinking City” from various digital storefronts including Steam and GOG, aiming to stop further sales that benefitted Nacon.
The plot thickened in early 2021, as Nacon re-released the game on Steam following a French court’s ruling favoring the continuation of their publishing contract. Frogwares countered by urging fans not to purchase the game and subsequently filed a DMCA takedown notice, leading to the game’s removal from Steam once more.
A New Chapter for The Sinking City
Folks, we got some big news!
Frogwares is now the sole publisher of The Sinking City on all platforms! We're happy to finally put this whole thing behind us, and we look forward to sharing more news about the future of the franchise very soon.
Please read our full statement pic.twitter.com/IxWblqbYmP
— The Sinking City 2 (@thesinkingcity) January 2, 2024
With the legal entanglements now settled, Frogwares is ready to reintroduce “The Sinking City” in an updated form. This new version will feature the latest bug fixes and optimizations, offering a refreshed experience for both new and returning players.
However, it’s important to note that this updated version will not be compatible with saves from the original release. To accommodate this, owners of the original game will have the option to continue their progress with their existing saves.
Furthermore, new downloadable content (DLC) titled “Merciful Madness” is in the pipeline. This DLC will require the new version of the game, but Frogwares plans to release premade saves, allowing players to access the DLC without replaying the entire game.
While the exact release date for the updated “The Sinking City” remains unannounced, Frogwares indicated that the original version will continue to be available for sale until February 28.
This timing suggests the new version may launch shortly thereafter. Currently, “The Sinking City” is available at a significant discount in the Steam Winter Sale, presenting an opportune moment for interested players to dive into its eerie and captivating world.
