 | Digital Release | PlayStation 4, Xbox One June 25, 2019 (AU, EU, NA) PC June 27, 2019 - Epic Games June 27, 2019 - Origin June 27, 2019 - Gamesplanet January 05, 2021 - Steam January 16, 2024 - GOG.com Nintendo Switch September 12, 2019 (EU, NA, JP) PlayStation 5 February 18, 2021 (AU, EU, JP, NA) Xbox Series X|S April 28, 2021 (AU, EU, JP, NA) |
| Delistings | August 25, 2020 - PC (Epic Games), PlayStation 4 September 2020 - Xbox One January 05, 2021 - PC (Steam) March 02, 2021 - PC (Steam) No later than June 13, 2022 - PC (Origin) |
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| Relistings | January 2021 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One February 26, 2021 - PC (Steam) June 25, 2021 - PC (Steam) March 20, 2024 - PC (Epic Games) |
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| Developer | Frogwares | |
| Publisher | Frogwares - PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S Bigben Interactive/Nacon - PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Epic, Steam [Feb 2021]) |
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| Available On | Digital PC (Epic Games, Gamesplanet, GOG.com, Steam) Nintendo Switch (EU, JP, NA) PlayStation 4 (AU, EU, JP, NA) PlayStation 5 (AU, EU, JP, NA) Xbox One (AU, EU, NA) Xbox Series X|S (AU, EU, JP, NA) Retail PlayStation 4 Xbox One |
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| Links | Frogwares homepage |
Delisting & Relisting
On August 25th, 2020 Frogwares Studio’s Sergey Oganesyan posted an open letter on the company’s blog to explain why The Sinking City had been delisted from the Epic Games Store and PlayStation 4. The detailed post called out shorted payments from publisher Bigben Interactive/Nacon and their subversion of Frogwares’ intellectual property relating to the title.
The studio remained hopeful that The Sinking City would be back on the affected platforms someday, stating that “we will inform you as we reappear on more platforms on our social channels“. Frogwares was able to publish the game on several platforms themselves at the same time: on PC on Origin and Gamesplanet, and on console for Nintendo Switch. As of August 26th, the Epic Games Store and PlayStation 4 versions had both been delisted while the Xbox One edition remained available to download until some time in September of 2020.
The Sinking City then debuted briefly on Steam on January 5th, 2021 but was removed from sale later that same day. The cause behind the game’s intermittent return related to the proceedings unfolding at the time in French courts. Nacon issued an interim victory citing the ruling that the “continuation of the contract [would remain in effect] until its term or until a decision is made”. In a subsequent update, Nacon added that “it is Frogware’s responsibility to return the game to at least some of the storefronts in question and that it has no control over the timing of the return”.
Nacon released The Sinking City on Steam for a second time on February 26th, 2021. Frogwares responded to this news later that same day on Twitter, posting that “Frogwares has not created the version of The Sinking City that is today on sale on Steam. We do not recommend the purchase of this version. More news soon”. Under accusations that Nacon’s version of The Sinking City on Steam was pirated, hacked, or otherwise obtained without the consent of Frogwares, the studio submitted a DMCA request to Valve. The game was then removed from Steam once again on March 2nd, 2021, while debuting on PlayStation 5 in February of 2021 and on Xbox Series X|S in April of 2021.
Although the court case continued through 2021 the ruling was either undisclosed or remains difficult to find. The Sinking City would then return to Steam yet again on June 25th, 2021 with Nacon still listed as the publisher. This suggests that Nacon’s original demands that Frogwares return the game to “some of the storefronts” still stood. Frogwares also stopped selling games directly from their homepage around January of 2023 although it is unclear if this is related to the court case. Their original blog post about the delisting also appears to have been removed from their homepage in 2023.
In this same period the game would be delisted from the Origin service no later than June 13th, 2022 when Electronic Arts announced that it would be removing all third-party titles from its platform. Frogwares would not publicly address the game again until January 2nd, 2024 when they announced on their homepage that the studio was “now sole publisher of The Sinking City on all platforms”.
Frogwares is now the sole publisher of The Sinking City on all platforms, including PC, so you can expect the latest version of the game to be available on Steam, Epic Games, GOG and Gamesplanet in a few weeks.
This latest version will come with all the previous bug fixes and optimizations, as well as a few things to keep in mind for the existing owners of the game on Steam and Epic Games Store.
- Due to a number of technical reasons, your old saves won’t be compatible with the latest version.
- On Steam, when you launch the game, you will have the option to keep playing the old version if you want to finish it.
- We’re keeping the old version only for a limited time. Please, consider finishing your playthrough before February 28, 2024!
- Alternatively, you can download the saves we have prepared and use those
- On Epic Games, you will also be able to download and use our saves.
We want to thank you all for your support and patience, and we look forward to sharing more news about the future of The Sinking City very soon.
Frogwares Announcement – January 02, 2024
Shortly after the news, The Sinking City made its debut on GOG.com on January 16th and later returned to sale on the Epic Games Store on March 20th, 2024. On the same day of the announcement Frogwares was listed as the publisher of the Steam release and has since replaced Nacon’s name on the other console versions.
About the Game
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 1920’s with which to take on nightmarish creatures.
- Manage your mental health to untangle the truth behind the madness.