Chained Echoes Developer Sues First Press Games Over Undelivered Physical Copies: What Backers Need to Know

Chained Echoes, the critically acclaimed indie RPG from solo developer Matthias Linda, achieved a rare feat: a Metacritic score of 90 and widespread adoration following its 2022 digital release. This success was built on a 2019 Kickstarter campaign that raised €130,409 from over 4,500 backers, promising physical editions as a tangible reward. That promise is now the subject of a major legal dispute, transforming a story of creative triumph into a cautionary tale about the risks of physical distribution for independent creators.

In a March 2026 update, Matthias Linda delivered difficult news to his community: he is terminating his contract with physical distributor First Press Games (FPG) and preparing to file a lawsuit. This action marks a last-resort effort to resolve a two-year saga of broken promises that has left thousands of backers without their pledged rewards.

The Lawsuit Announcement: A Developer's Last Resort

The announcement was made through a formal Kickstarter update. Matthias Linda, operating under his studio name Umami Tiger, outlined the decision to pursue legal action against his distribution partner.

"The decision to take this step wasn't easy and came after careful consideration," Linda stated.

For an independent developer, engaging in a lawsuit is a monumental undertaking, consuming resources that would otherwise be directed toward creative work, such as supporting the game's 2025 expansion, Ashes of Elrant. The public announcement serves as both a transparency measure for backers and an indication that other avenues for resolution have been exhausted.

The Core Failure: Two Years of Broken Promises

The lawsuit stems from a fundamental failure: the non-delivery of pledged physical goods. While the digital game has been available since December 2022, the vast majority of physical products are over two years past their original shipping dates.

The delivery record is starkly incomplete. To date, the only physical product First Press Games has successfully delivered to backers is the standard PlayStation 4 edition. A July 2024 backer update specified that 13 other promised products remain undelivered. This list includes:

• Nintendo Switch physical editions (standard and special editions)
• PC physical editions
• Various special and collector's editions
• The promised CD soundtrack

For the backers who supported the project's initial physical release goals, this represents a significant breach of the campaign's terms.

Options for Kickstarter Backers: Refunds and a Long Road Ahead

In his update, Matthias Linda provided two clear paths forward for the original Kickstarter backers affected by this failure.

Option 1: Wait for a New Physical Edition. Linda has committed to finding a new, reputable publisher to manufacture and ship the physical versions. He was forthright about the timeline, noting this process "may face significant delays" pending the resolution of the lawsuit. This path is for backers who still wish to eventually receive the physical product they paid for.

Option 2: Request a Full Refund. For backers who have lost confidence or no longer wish to wait, Linda has established a dedicated refund process. They can email [email protected] to request a refund covering both their original Kickstarter pledge and any subsequent upgrades purchased using vouchers through FPG's store.

A critical limitation must be noted: this refund offer is exclusively for original Kickstarter backers. Customers who purchased physical editions directly from First Press Games' online store are not eligible through this channel and must seek recourse with FPG directly.

A Pattern of Problems: FPG's Troubled History with Indies

The situation with Chained Echoes is not an isolated incident. Reports over the past four years from nearly a dozen other indie developers detail similar fulfillment problems with First Press Games, including chronic delays, lack of communication, and undelivered collector's items. This pattern suggests systemic operational issues.

One of the most concerning details is the state of FPG's storefront at the time of Linda's announcement. The First Press Games website was still actively accepting new orders and payments for the very Chained Echoes physical editions it had failed to deliver to existing customers for years. This practice raises serious questions about the company's conduct.

Conclusion

The legal action by Matthias Linda represents a significant step in a protracted dispute that has deprived backers of their promised rewards. For those affected, the immediate steps are clear: decide whether to wait for a future physical release or to seek a refund through the official channel.

For the wider industry, this case underscores the vulnerabilities indie developers face in physical production and the critical importance of due diligence when choosing partners. The road to resolution will be complex, but the community's hope remains that accountability will be served and that backers will finally receive the acclaimed RPG they helped bring to life. The legacy of Chained Echoes deserves to be on the shelves of the fans who believed in it from the start.

Tags: Chained Echoes, First Press Games, Indie Games, Kickstarter, Video Game Lawsuits