Chained Echoes Dev Files Lawsuit Against First Press Games
The creator behind the hit indie RPG chained echo, Matthias Linda, has officially decided to take legal action against its physical distribution partners. While the project is in the spotlight due to its success, some unexpected developments regarding his business partnerships have recently come to light. Developer from Chained Echo is now moving in a new direction to address a long-standing problem affecting fans of the game.
Developed over seven painstaking years by Linda, the game was designed as an homage to the Super Nintendo’s 16-bit era. It features a 30 to 40 hour story set on the war-torn continent of Valandis, where a group of heroes attempt to bring peace to three warring kingdoms. Since its release in 2022, Chained Echo has been hailed as one of the best modern examples of the RPG genre, earning a spot on many Top 10 lists for its innovative combat and deep character development.
Chain Echo Review
Indie JRPG Chained Echoes brings together classic inspirations from the genre while creating an incredible, well-crafted, original experience.
Two Year Delay and Broken Promises
The dispute centers on a long-delayed physical release that was part of an initial crowdfunding campaign. In a live update posted to Kickstarter on March 11, Linda revealed that it had been over two years since her boxed copy Chained Echo originally scheduled to ship. The developer has now ended its contract with First Press Games (FPG) after the company failed to deliver the promised physical edition to its thousands of supporters. Despite the long wait, the only version that actually made it into players’ hands was the standard PlayStation 4 edition. For those hoping for a Nintendo Switch or special collector’s edition, distributors remained silent.
“I am ending my business relationship with FPG and I am preparing a lawsuit,” Linda said in her announcement. He explained that the choice to pursue litigation was not made lightly and was taken only after “careful consideration” of the situation. While he couldn’t provide specific legal details at this time, the developer explained that the lack of progress by 2026 was the final straw. First Press Games’ reputation has been under scrutiny for some time, with many online customers questioning whether the company was able to fulfill its backlog of orders.
With business ties cut, Linda’s main focus shifted to improving the conditions of her supporters. He’s currently offering two main lines for those who back the physical version during the Kickstarter campaign. The first option is for players to wait for new physical editions produced by different publishers. However, Linda warns that this could result in significant delays, as it is possible that new copies will not be produced until the legal battle with FPG is over.
For those who have run out of patience, the second option is a full refund. Linda has set up a special email address—refund@chainedechoes.com—to process these claims. To receive a refund, backers must provide their name, ID number, and proof of order confirmation. The developer even notes that it will compensate people who use vouchers to upgrade their orders through the FPG store, as long as the original order is tied to a Kickstarter campaign.
Despite the looming legal battle, the game itself continues to evolve. Just last summer, a major expansion Chained Echo entitled Abu Elrant was released, adding new areas and characters to an already huge world. The game remains available digitally on nearly all major platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Despite the drama surrounding the physical box, enthusiasm for the title remains steady.
Linda expressed regret for the frustration the situation had caused, and apologized for the “unclear information” and long wait. As the lawsuit progresses, the community will be watching closely to see if new partners can finally bring this acclaimed RPG to their shelves. For now, anyone who wants to own this game is advised to stick to digital storefronts such as Steam, GOG, or eShop.
- Released
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December 8, 2022
- ESRB
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M17+ For Adults 17+ Due to Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer
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Matias Linda
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