Summary

  • Developer Frogwares has become the sole publisher of The Sinking City after battling with former publisher Nacon over legal complications.
  • The Sinking City is an open-world horror game inspired by Lovecraftian writings, where players take on the role of a detective.
  • Frogwares has promised fans that the game will make a strong comeback, with plans for future updates and potential new content in the franchise.

After several years of internal corporate disputes, horror title The Sinking City is officially making a comeback, as developer Frogwares has become the sole publisher of the game. Frogwares battled with Nacon over legal complications with The Sinking City, but with Frogwares now fully in control of the IP, the Lovecraftian horror is once again making a return from the depths of despair.

First released in 2019, The Sinking City is an open-world horror game that takes place in a seaside town inspired by the writings of H. P. Lovecraft. Players take on the role of a detective tasked with finding the source of the otherworldly creatures plaguing the townsfolk. While the game was well received by audiences, major battles between Frogwares and Nacon led to the game being delisted multiple times, with a firm comeback now on the horizon.

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After years-long disputes and legal woes with former publisher Nacon, developer Frogwares now has sole publishing rights to The Sinking City and has promised fans that the game will be returning stronger than ever. Frogwares accused Nacon of illegally pirating The Sinking City to Steam and of withholding payments to the developer, leading to multiple court battles between the two studios. Fans suffered as a result, with Frogwares being barred from providing bug fixes and general support to the game, as the developer struggled to secure publishing rights from Nacon. In a surprise announcement, Frogwares has confirmed that it is now the sole publisher of the horror title, prompting fans of The Sinking City to rejoice over the good news.

Frogwares Looks to the Future of The Sinking City

With the legal disputes now in the past, Frogwares has informed players that the studio is looking to the future. In the publication news announcement, Frogwares shared some key information regarding the current version of the game and future iterations, which includes the following:

  • Due to technical complications, old saves will not be compatible with the latest version of the game.
  • Players will have until February 28 to complete their existing playthrough, after which time they will need to start a new save.
  • Players will be able to download a playable save file on either Steam or the Epic Games Store to enjoy the latest version of the game.
  • Players on Steam will be prompted with a choice to continue their old save or start a fresh playthrough.

While The Sinking City issues between Frogwares and Nacon resulted in a build-up of unfixed bugs, Frogwares is looking to freshen up the existing game while also hinting at more good news to come. Frogwares specifically referred to The Sinking City as a "franchise" in the announcement post, so fans of Lovecraftian horror may want to stay tuned for potential future updates.

Audiences continue to respond well to Lovecraftian tales, and many rank The Sinking City among the best detective horror games. With Frogwares poised to fully move forward with game updates and possibly new content, fans of The Sinking City can once again sink their teeth into the horror title.

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The Sinking City Tag Page Cover Art
4 /10

The Sinking City
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Action
Adventure
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 69 /100 Critics Rec: 37%
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Released
June 27, 2019
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Frogwares
Publisher(s)
Frogwares
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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The Sinking City is an adventure and investigation game set in an open world inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of Horror. The half-submerged city of Oakmont is gripped by supernatural forces. You're a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city… and the minds of its inhabitants.

- An oppressive atmosphere and story inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft.
- A vast open world that can be explored on foot, by boat, in a diving suit…
- High replay value thanks to an open investigation system: each case can be solved in a number of ways, with different possible endings depending on your actions.
- An arsenal of weapons from the 1920s with which to take on nightmarish creatures.
- Manage your mental health to untangle the truth behind the madness.

Genre(s)
Action, Adventure