As 2023 ended, the gaming community faced a major scandal with the launch of The Day Before, a post-apocalyptic MMO that disappointed players due to server issues, bugs, and lack of content. Following its closure in January 2024, the studio Fntastic attempted a comeback with a new project, Escape Factory, but skepticism remains high. Legal disputes over the game’s reputation continue, highlighting tensions over freedom of expression and accountability in gaming. Meanwhile, rumors swirl around new developments in Elden Ring.
Unveiling the Controversy: The Day Before’s Launch
As 2023 drew to a close, the gaming community was rocked by one of the most significant scams in recent memory. Following weeks of anticipation, players finally had the chance to delve into The Day Before on December 7, a post-apocalyptic open-world survival MMO that was initially slated for a PC release in 2021. However, the excitement quickly turned into disappointment as the gaming community became disillusioned.
When Expectations Collide with Reality
Upon its launch, players discovered that The Day Before was far from what had been promised. Server malfunctions, an abundance of bugs, a lack of meaningful content, and accusations of plagiarism in promotional materials spelled disaster for the game. It didn’t take long for players to demand refunds, leading to an avalanche of negative reviews on Steam. The game ultimately closed its doors on January 22, 2024, and the development studio, Fntastic, vanished under a cloud of shame.
Yet, in a surprising turn of events, Fntastic resurfaced in September 2024 with an announcement of a new game, showcasing a bold move. Through a Kickstarter campaign, they aimed to finance a project titled Escape Factory, a multiplayer game where players must navigate a vast factory while evading relentless machines. The studio maintains that “everyone deserves a second chance,” but many players remain skeptical, given the shattered trust from their previous experience. As of November 2024, Fntastic has been conspicuously silent on their X account, leaving many questioning the project’s viability.
Legal Battles and Freedom of Expression
Despite the passage of time, Fntastic is evidently unsettled by The Day Before’s tarnished reputation. The studio has initiated legal action against Yakutia.info, a Russian website, over two articles that labeled the game a scam. The developers, also hailing from Russia, are unhappy with the association of the word “scam” with their project, claiming it damages their reputation. In response, Yakutia.info has adjusted its stance to mitigate the dispute.
In a stand for freedom of expression, Yakutia.info has countered with its own lawsuit against Fntastic. The site argues that they are not alone in deeming The Day Before a scam, yet the studio has specifically targeted them, raising questions about their motives. The article concludes with a critical note on the Gotovtsev brothers, founders of Fntastic, stating that they “have remained at an amateur level in the video game field.”
Meanwhile, the gaming world is buzzing with rumors surrounding Elden Ring Nightreign, with potential leaks suggesting the introduction of a new character designed to captivate solo players. Early impressions indicate that this character possesses incredible strength, and fans are already expressing their excitement!