Fntastic, the embattled studio behind The Day Before, has taken legal action against Russian news site Yakutia.info for referring to the game as a “scam.” The lawsuit comes amid widespread criticism of the studio’s handling of the game’s launch, its use of unpaid volunteer labor, and its recent failed crowdfunding campaign. This move raises questions about whether the studio is attempting to restore its reputation or silence negative press.
Fntastic is suing Yakutia.info, a Siberian-based Russian news outlet, for allegedly damaging its reputation by calling The Day Before a “scam” and accusing the studio of copying game mechanics from other titles. The lawsuit claims that this terminology misrepresents Fntastic’s work and could mislead readers.
In response, Yakutia.info has defended its reporting, stating that the word “scam” is relatively new in the Russian language and lacks a precise legal definition. The site has since amended its articles, replacing “scam” with “embarrassment” and opting to directly quote influencers instead of paraphrasing their criticism. Despite these changes, Fntastic is continuing its legal action.
The lawsuit has raised concerns about Fntastic’s decision to target Yakutia.info, a relatively small news outlet, rather than larger international media or influencers who have been equally critical of The Day Before. Yakutia.info has suggested that it was singled out due to its limited resources, making it easier to pressure legally. Meanwhile, criticism of Fntastic’s handling of The Day Before has come from all corners of the gaming industry, including major gaming publications and content creators.
Once the most wishlisted game on Steam, The Day Before launched to overwhelmingly negative reception due to its buggy state, missing features, and misleading marketing. Many players accused the studio of misrepresenting the game, as it failed to deliver on the ambitious survival MMO experience promised in pre-release trailers.
The backlash intensified when it was revealed that Fntastic relied heavily on unpaid “volunteer” developers, a practice widely condemned in the industry. The situation worsened when the studio pulled The Day Before from sale shortly after launch, further fueling accusations of incompetence or mismanagement.
Despite the fallout from The Day Before, Fntastic continues to push forward with new projects. However, its recent Kickstarter campaign for a physics-based multiplayer game fell flat, raising only $2,351 of its $15,000 goal. The studio has since announced another project and is once again seeking unpaid “volunteer” contributions, reigniting criticism over its business practices.
