A New Chapter: Frogwares Becomes the Sole Publisher of The Sinking City
After a lengthy legal dispute with original publisher Nacon, Ukrainian studio Frogwares has emerged victorious as the sole publisher of the Lovecraft-inspired detective adventure, The Sinking City. In an announcement on Steam, Frogwares expressed its relief in putting the dispute behind them and shared its excitement about the future of the franchise. This development brings new hope for fans of the game who have been eagerly waiting for progress amidst the turmoil.
Unraveling the Legal Dispute: Frogwares vs. Nacon
The legal dispute between Frogwares and Nacon began soon after the release of The Sinking City in 2019. Frogwares accused Nacon of consistently delaying payments during the game’s development and even claimed that Nacon demanded access to the game’s source code, which Frogwares staunchly refused. The situation escalated as Nacon attempted to retroactively cancel previously-approved milestones, meaning Frogwares would not receive any profit from the game’s sales. Moreover, Frogwares discovered discrepancies in the calculation of sales figures. Nacon denied these allegations and vowed to seek legal action of its own.
As a result, Frogwares requested the removal of The Sinking City from various storefronts in 2020 to prevent further sales going to Nacon. However, a French court ruling in early 2021 allowed Nacon to continue publishing the game on Steam temporarily. Frogwares strongly advised fans against purchasing it and subsequently issued a DMCA takedown notice, resulting in the game’s removal from Steam once again.
The Sinking City Reborn: An Updated Version on the Horizon
With Frogwares now confirmed as the sole publisher of The Sinking City, the studio is ready to move forward and revamp the game. An updated version is in the works, promising bug fixes and optimizations for improved gameplay. The changes will be significant enough that the updated version will not be compatible with saves from the original release. However, to cater to existing players, Frogwares will offer the option to continue with the original version and their existing saves.
Save the Date: Release Details for The Sinking City’s Revamped Edition
Frogwares has not yet announced a specific release date for the updated version of The Sinking City. However, considering the continuation of sales of the original version until February 28, it is likely that the updated version will be released sometime after that. Interested players who want to experience the game at its current discounted price can take advantage of the 90% discount in the Steam Winter Sale, which concludes on January 4.
Dive Deeper into Madness: New DLC Coming Soon for The Sinking City
In addition to the updated version of The Sinking City, Frogwares has exciting plans for the game’s future. A new DLC called “Merciful Madness” is on the horizon, offering players a fresh and immersive experience. Although the DLC will require the new version of the game, Frogwares has assured players that premade saves will be made available. This way, players who have already completed the game won’t have to replay the entire narrative just to access the DLC.
With Frogwares taking command as the sole publisher and with further content additions on the horizon, fans of The Sinking City can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Frogwares’ dedication to resolving the legal dispute and continuing to improve the game demonstrates their commitment to delivering a high-quality experience to players. The future looks promising for this Lovecraftian-inspired detective adventure.
Analyst comment
Positive news: Frogwares becoming the sole publisher of The Sinking City.
As an analyst, the market can expect renewed interest and enthusiasm for The Sinking City with Frogwares at the helm. The studio’s commitment to revamp the game, release an updated version, and provide new DLC shows their dedication to delivering a high-quality experience. Existing players can continue with their saves, and a discounted price during the Steam Winter Sale may attract new players. Overall, the future looks promising for this Lovecraft-inspired detective adventure.
