Update: Frogwares has accused former The Sinking City licensee and currently-listed Steam publisher Nacon of pirating a version of the game from another licensee, making changes to it, and then listing it for sale on Steam without the developer's permission.

In a blog post today, Frogwares says that the new version of The Sinking City uploaded to Steam in late February by Nacon was not one given to the publisher by them, but rather a version licensed to online distributor Gamesplanet. Frogwares accuses Nacon of buying the game on Gamesplanet, hacking into it to remove certain identifiers like Gamesplanet logos and add the Nacon logo on certain splash screens, and then republishing the altered version of the game to Steam. Additionally, Frogwares notes that the version on Steam is the "Deluxe" version of the game -- with extra content added that Nacon never had the license to distribute in the first place.

Frogwares specifically calls out Neopica, a Belgian studio behind games like the Hunting Simulator titles and Euro Truck Racing Championship that was acquired by Nacon late last year, as having a hand in the alteration of The Sinking City. Meanwhile, the studio says it does not believe either Gamesplanet or Steam were aware of the situation, saying that Nacon likely purchased the game legally from Gamesplanet and that Steam did not know the version uploaded to its servers was hacked.

The two companies remain in a legal battle in French courts over contract breaches, missed payments, intellectual property ownership, and more -- with Frogwares saying it will now be adding pirachy and theft of intellectual property to the list of charges.

IGN has reached out to Nacon for comment.

Original story: The Sinking City has returned to Steam following its removal across multiple digital platforms, but developer Frogwares has said it did not create this version and that it does not recommend that anyone purchase it. Frogwares took to Twitter to share this update, promising that more news was on the way soon regarding their warning. "Frogwares has not created the version of @TheSinkingCity that is today on sale on @Steam. We do not recommend the purchase of this version. More news soon." The developer wrote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/25/the-sinking-city-review"] The Sinking City was removed from Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the digital storefronts of Xbox One and PS4 on August 25, 2020, following Frogwares' legal disputes with publisher BigBen Interactive and Nacon. Frogwares accused these companies of repeatedly breaching contract, withholding at least €1 million in royalties, falsely implying ownership of the IP, and more. During development of The Sinking City, Frogware alleged that BigBen and Nacon would pay for production milestones around 40 days later that agreed upon. Furthermore, these companies demanded that they be given the source code for The Sinking City despite their agreement saying that they could only sell the game and that they did not own the IP. When Frogwares declined, they said BigBen and Nacon stopped providing payments for four months. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/22/the-sinking-city-playstation-5-release-trailer"] Frogwares began a legal battle with BigBen and Nacon in August 2019 over these issues and many more, including concerns over Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes games. The Sinking City, which is inspired by the works of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, was released in 2019. In our review, we said, "The Sinking City’s creation of a new Lovecraftian vision paired with compelling stories, exciting environments, and memorable characters make for one of the better Cthulhu lore games I’ve played. Its commitment to tastefully updating the storytelling methods, while preserving the setting and tone of Lovecraft shines through the tedium and frustration." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Update: Frogwares has accused former The Sinking City licensee and currently-listed Steam publisher Nacon of pirating a version of the game from another licensee, making changes to it, and then listing it for sale on Steam without the developer's permission.

In a blog post today, Frogwares says that the new version of The Sinking City uploaded to Steam in late February by Nacon was not one given to the publisher by them, but rather a version licensed to online distributor Gamesplanet. Frogwares accuses Nacon of buying the game on Gamesplanet, hacking into it to remove certain identifiers like Gamesplanet logos and add the Nacon logo on certain splash screens, and then republishing the altered version of the game to Steam. Additionally, Frogwares notes that the version on Steam is the "Deluxe" version of the game -- with extra content added that Nacon never had the license to distribute in the first place.

Frogwares specifically calls out Neopica, a Belgian studio behind games like the Hunting Simulator titles and Euro Truck Racing Championship that was acquired by Nacon late last year, as having a hand in the alteration of The Sinking City. Meanwhile, the studio says it does not believe either Gamesplanet or Steam were aware of the situation, saying that Nacon likely purchased the game legally from Gamesplanet and that Steam did not know the version uploaded to its servers was hacked.

The two companies remain in a legal battle in French courts over contract breaches, missed payments, intellectual property ownership, and more -- with Frogwares saying it will now be adding pirachy and theft of intellectual property to the list of charges.

IGN has reached out to Nacon for comment.

Original story: The Sinking City has returned to Steam following its removal across multiple digital platforms, but developer Frogwares has said it did not create this version and that it does not recommend that anyone purchase it. Frogwares took to Twitter to share this update, promising that more news was on the way soon regarding their warning. "Frogwares has not created the version of @TheSinkingCity that is today on sale on @Steam. We do not recommend the purchase of this version. More news soon." The developer wrote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/25/the-sinking-city-review"] The Sinking City was removed from Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the digital storefronts of Xbox One and PS4 on August 25, 2020, following Frogwares' legal disputes with publisher BigBen Interactive and Nacon. Frogwares accused these companies of repeatedly breaching contract, withholding at least €1 million in royalties, falsely implying ownership of the IP, and more. During development of The Sinking City, Frogware alleged that BigBen and Nacon would pay for production milestones around 40 days later that agreed upon. Furthermore, these companies demanded that they be given the source code for The Sinking City despite their agreement saying that they could only sell the game and that they did not own the IP. When Frogwares declined, they said BigBen and Nacon stopped providing payments for four months. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/22/the-sinking-city-playstation-5-release-trailer"] Frogwares began a legal battle with BigBen and Nacon in August 2019 over these issues and many more, including concerns over Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes games. The Sinking City, which is inspired by the works of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, was released in 2019. In our review, we said, "The Sinking City’s creation of a new Lovecraftian vision paired with compelling stories, exciting environments, and memorable characters make for one of the better Cthulhu lore games I’ve played. Its commitment to tastefully updating the storytelling methods, while preserving the setting and tone of Lovecraft shines through the tedium and frustration." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

The Pokemon Company has announced that Pokemon 25: The Album will be released in Fall 2021 and will feature Katy Perry, J Balvin, Post Malone, and more. This new album is part of the celebration of Pokemon's 25th anniversary, and J Balvin was confirmed to be joining the project following the global virtual Pokemon music concert starring Post Malone. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/11/pokemon-pokemon-day-virtual-concert-with-post-malone-announce-trailer"] During the concert, Post Malone performed a cover of Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie & the Blowfish that was remixed with the Ecruteak City theme from Pokemon Gold and Silver. Katy Perry, J Balvin, Post Malone, and one more surprise guest will each release a song that is inspired by the Pokemon franchise, and each song's release will be joined by a music video and "an exclusive merchandise collection celebrating each artist and Pokemon." There will also be other songs from some of the "buzziest new artists from around the world," and these songs will be released in "very 'Pokemon' ways." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/25-years-of-pokemon-celebration"] Pokemon 25: The Album will be released by Universal Music Group's Capitol Records later this year and will features a total of 14 songs. This new album is one of the many ways The Pokemon Company is celebrating this 25th anniversary, and follows the reveals of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Brilliant Pearl, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and much more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

The Pokemon Company has announced that Pokemon 25: The Album will be released in Fall 2021 and will feature Katy Perry, J Balvin, Post Malone, and more. This new album is part of the celebration of Pokemon's 25th anniversary, and J Balvin was confirmed to be joining the project following the global virtual Pokemon music concert starring Post Malone. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/11/pokemon-pokemon-day-virtual-concert-with-post-malone-announce-trailer"] During the concert, Post Malone performed a cover of Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie & the Blowfish that was remixed with the Ecruteak City theme from Pokemon Gold and Silver. Katy Perry, J Balvin, Post Malone, and one more surprise guest will each release a song that is inspired by the Pokemon franchise, and each song's release will be joined by a music video and "an exclusive merchandise collection celebrating each artist and Pokemon." There will also be other songs from some of the "buzziest new artists from around the world," and these songs will be released in "very 'Pokemon' ways." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/25-years-of-pokemon-celebration"] Pokemon 25: The Album will be released by Universal Music Group's Capitol Records later this year and will features a total of 14 songs. This new album is one of the many ways The Pokemon Company is celebrating this 25th anniversary, and follows the reveals of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Brilliant Pearl, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and much more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Zack Snyder confirmed during IGN Fan Fest 2021 that the Snyder Cut edit of Justice League is locked, and HBO Max confirmed the film will be 4 hours and 2 minutes. This was only one of the 27 things we learned from Zack Snyder in our in-depth conversation about his version of the Justice League, which is set to be released in theaters and on HBO Max on March 18, 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/zack-snyders-justice-league-the-mother-box-origins-exclusive-clip-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Snyder also released a brand new Mother Box origins clip that is packed with Easter Eggs for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash. He also revealed how the Snyder Cut will have a "massive cliffhanger" ending, what his thoughts are on Joker's redesign, and how this new version will flesh out Ben Affleck's Batman's full character arc. Zack Snyder's Justice League will include two-and-a-half hours of never-before-seen footage, with "four or five minutes of additional photography," original footage from the theatrical release, and elements the ended up on the cutting room floor. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/justice-league-inside-the-snyder-cut-with-zack-snyder-ign-fan-fest-2021"] For more on IGN Fan Fest 2021, check out the exclusive premiere of The Flash season 7 premiere episode, the first Shadow and Bone trailer, and director Adam Wingard's comments on how Godzilla vs. Kong will have a definitive champion. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Zack Snyder confirmed during IGN Fan Fest 2021 that the Snyder Cut edit of Justice League is locked, and HBO Max confirmed the film will be 4 hours and 2 minutes. This was only one of the 27 things we learned from Zack Snyder in our in-depth conversation about his version of the Justice League, which is set to be released in theaters and on HBO Max on March 18, 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/zack-snyders-justice-league-the-mother-box-origins-exclusive-clip-ign-fan-fest-2021"] Snyder also released a brand new Mother Box origins clip that is packed with Easter Eggs for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash. He also revealed how the Snyder Cut will have a "massive cliffhanger" ending, what his thoughts are on Joker's redesign, and how this new version will flesh out Ben Affleck's Batman's full character arc. Zack Snyder's Justice League will include two-and-a-half hours of never-before-seen footage, with "four or five minutes of additional photography," original footage from the theatrical release, and elements the ended up on the cutting room floor. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/justice-league-inside-the-snyder-cut-with-zack-snyder-ign-fan-fest-2021"] For more on IGN Fan Fest 2021, check out the exclusive premiere of The Flash season 7 premiere episode, the first Shadow and Bone trailer, and director Adam Wingard's comments on how Godzilla vs. Kong will have a definitive champion. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

WarnerMedia and Justice League investigator Katherine Forrest have disputed Ray Fisher's recent allegations against DC Films President Walter Hamada. Ray Fisher Tweeted these allegations against Hamada, saying he tried to "destroy a Black man's credibility" and tried to interfere with the investigation. "Do ya’ll remember that time Walter Hamada and @wbpictures tried to destroy a Black man’s credibility, and publicly delegitimize a very serious investigation, with lies in the press? But hey, Black Superman... A>E," Fisher wrote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/21/the-true-story-behind-the-snyder-cut"] WarnerMedia responded by saying that, following an "extensive and thorough third-party investigation," there was no interference found whatsoever. "Once again there are false statements being made about our executives and our company surrounding the recent Justice League investigation," WarnerMedia said. "As we have stated before, an extensive and thorough third-party investigation was conducted. Our executives, including Walter Hamada, fully cooperated, no evidence was found of any interference whatsoever, and Warner Bros. did not lie in the press. It’s time to stop saying otherwise and move forward productively." Forrest, the investigator and former Federal Judge, also spoke up and said there was no interference of any kind by Hamada. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=justice-league-snyder-cut-all-the-known-differences-from-the-theatrical-version&captions=true"] “I am disappointed by continued public statements made suggesting that Walter Hamada in any way interfered with the Justice League investigation. He did not," Forrest said. "I interviewed him extensively on more than one occasion and specifically interviewed him concerning his very limited interaction with Mr. Fisher.  I found Mr. Hamada credible and forthcoming.  I concluded that he did nothing that impeded or interfered with the investigation. To the contrary, the information that he provided was useful and advanced the investigation.” This is another development in the ongoing story following Fisher's allegations that there was a toxic, hostile working environment under Joss Whedon, the director of the reshoots of 2017's Justice League. Fisher also called out Hamada, saying he is "the most dangerous kind of enabler," and that he would not be participating in any future production that is associated with him. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/14/zack-snyders-justice-league-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

WarnerMedia and Justice League investigator Katherine Forrest have disputed Ray Fisher's recent allegations against DC Films President Walter Hamada. Ray Fisher Tweeted these allegations against Hamada, saying he tried to "destroy a Black man's credibility" and tried to interfere with the investigation. "Do ya’ll remember that time Walter Hamada and @wbpictures tried to destroy a Black man’s credibility, and publicly delegitimize a very serious investigation, with lies in the press? But hey, Black Superman... A>E," Fisher wrote. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/21/the-true-story-behind-the-snyder-cut"] WarnerMedia responded by saying that, following an "extensive and thorough third-party investigation," there was no interference found whatsoever. "Once again there are false statements being made about our executives and our company surrounding the recent Justice League investigation," WarnerMedia said. "As we have stated before, an extensive and thorough third-party investigation was conducted. Our executives, including Walter Hamada, fully cooperated, no evidence was found of any interference whatsoever, and Warner Bros. did not lie in the press. It’s time to stop saying otherwise and move forward productively." Forrest, the investigator and former Federal Judge, also spoke up and said there was no interference of any kind by Hamada. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=justice-league-snyder-cut-all-the-known-differences-from-the-theatrical-version&captions=true"] “I am disappointed by continued public statements made suggesting that Walter Hamada in any way interfered with the Justice League investigation. He did not," Forrest said. "I interviewed him extensively on more than one occasion and specifically interviewed him concerning his very limited interaction with Mr. Fisher.  I found Mr. Hamada credible and forthcoming.  I concluded that he did nothing that impeded or interfered with the investigation. To the contrary, the information that he provided was useful and advanced the investigation.” This is another development in the ongoing story following Fisher's allegations that there was a toxic, hostile working environment under Joss Whedon, the director of the reshoots of 2017's Justice League. Fisher also called out Hamada, saying he is "the most dangerous kind of enabler," and that he would not be participating in any future production that is associated with him. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/14/zack-snyders-justice-league-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Batman Beyond's voice and casting director has told fans to begin a campaign if they'd like to see more of the animation – in TV or movie form – but that the cast and crew would like to. During IGN Fan Fest's Batman Beyond table read, the panel was asked by fan Max McMillan whether we could expect to see a new Batman Beyond season, or a movie, anytime soon. While the rest of the cast offered up shrugs, voice and casting director Andrea Romano gave a (slightly) more hopeful answer: "It will depend on the fans asking, and asking, and asking for it until [show owner] Warner Bros. would be foolish not to. So they have to begin a campaign of sorts and just let Warner Bros. know that that's what they want. Because we would like to make it, it would be great fun – we're all still around, we're all still available, everybody's still doing beautiful work. So yes please, and thank you." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/batman-beyond-cast-reunion-and-table-read-ign-fan-fest-2021"] The table read showed off quite how energised the cast still is about the show, as they performed Season 3, Episode 5 'Out of the Past' in full. Romano explained that the cast and crew love the episode because of how they managed to turn a joke about making Batman: The Musical into something of a reality, albeait one still grounded in the world of the show – and one that allowed the voice of a younger Bruce Wayne to make a brief reappearance. The panel was also asked what their personal favourite episodes were from the show, with answers including 'The Call' (which set up the Justice League animated series), and 'The Eggbaby' (for its silliness, and focus on real-life teenage issues). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/05/batman-beyond-the-classic-nobody-wanted"] The real question waiting to be answered is whether the cast will get to add new favourite episodes to that list – and they want you to ask Warner Bros. for just that. Hopefully, one day, we'll see more from Terry McGinnis and Neo-Gotham. We'd certainly be in favour of a new outing. We've previously called Batman Beyond one of the most memorable shows in Kids' WB history, and made an entire documentary about it – Batman Beyond: The Classic That Nobody Wanted. There's much more to come from IGN Fan Fest - make sure to check out our full Fan Fest schedule for everything we've got for you, from Zack Snyder's Justice League to Deathloop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Batman Beyond's voice and casting director has told fans to begin a campaign if they'd like to see more of the animation – in TV or movie form – but that the cast and crew would like to. During IGN Fan Fest's Batman Beyond table read, the panel was asked by fan Max McMillan whether we could expect to see a new Batman Beyond season, or a movie, anytime soon. While the rest of the cast offered up shrugs, voice and casting director Andrea Romano gave a (slightly) more hopeful answer: "It will depend on the fans asking, and asking, and asking for it until [show owner] Warner Bros. would be foolish not to. So they have to begin a campaign of sorts and just let Warner Bros. know that that's what they want. Because we would like to make it, it would be great fun – we're all still around, we're all still available, everybody's still doing beautiful work. So yes please, and thank you." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/27/batman-beyond-cast-reunion-and-table-read-ign-fan-fest-2021"] The table read showed off quite how energised the cast still is about the show, as they performed Season 3, Episode 5 'Out of the Past' in full. Romano explained that the cast and crew love the episode because of how they managed to turn a joke about making Batman: The Musical into something of a reality, albeait one still grounded in the world of the show – and one that allowed the voice of a younger Bruce Wayne to make a brief reappearance. The panel was also asked what their personal favourite episodes were from the show, with answers including 'The Call' (which set up the Justice League animated series), and 'The Eggbaby' (for its silliness, and focus on real-life teenage issues). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/05/batman-beyond-the-classic-nobody-wanted"] The real question waiting to be answered is whether the cast will get to add new favourite episodes to that list – and they want you to ask Warner Bros. for just that. Hopefully, one day, we'll see more from Terry McGinnis and Neo-Gotham. We'd certainly be in favour of a new outing. We've previously called Batman Beyond one of the most memorable shows in Kids' WB history, and made an entire documentary about it – Batman Beyond: The Classic That Nobody Wanted. There's much more to come from IGN Fan Fest - make sure to check out our full Fan Fest schedule for everything we've got for you, from Zack Snyder's Justice League to Deathloop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.