German developer Matthias Linda has announced plans to sue First Press Games over unfulfilled physical editions of his role-playing game Chained Echoes. The solo creator stated the decision follows two years of delays in promised releases. Backers face options for refunds or alternative publishing.
Matthias Linda, the German solo developer behind Chained Echoes, revealed on the game's Kickstarter page his intention to sever ties with publisher First Press Games and pursue legal action. Linda explained that the company committed two years ago to producing multiple physical editions, including collector's versions, but has only released the standard edition for PlayStation 4 to date. Chained Echoes, a pixel-art JRPG inspired by SNES-era titles, launched digitally in December 2022 and earned strong acclaim, with a Metacritic score of 91 and an 88% 'Very Positive' rating on Steam from 7,200 reviews. For backers awaiting physical copies, Linda offered two choices: request a refund directly from him or hold out for a future release through a different publisher. In his announcement, Linda said, “I am severing business ties with First Press Games and preparing a lawsuit. This decision was not easy for me and was made after careful consideration. Please understand that for legal reasons, I cannot go into details.” First Press Games has not issued any comment on the matter. The dispute highlights challenges in indie game publishing, particularly with crowdfunding commitments.