Fntastic Sues Russian News Outlet Over ‘Scam’ Allegation

Fntastic, the embattled studio behind The Day Before, has filed a lawsuit against Russian news outlet Yakutia.info, claiming the publication damaged its reputation by referring to the studio’s actions as a “scam.” The lawsuit, filed in the Arbitration Court of Yakutia, also takes issue with an article that paraphrased YouTube influencers accusing The Day Before of borrowing mechanics from other games. The news was reported by 80.lv, PC Gamer, and Yakutia.info itself.

Yakutia.info has since amended its articles, replacing the word “scam” (“скам”) with a term that translates to “embarrassment” (somewhat old-fashioned “конфуз”) and quoting influencers directly instead of paraphrasing them. However, Fntastic reportedly demanded that the articles be deleted entirely and that the outlet issue a formal apology. Yakutia.info has refused, arguing that this constitutes an attack on press freedom and stating that it will fight the matter in court.

The lawsuit has raised eyebrows due to Fntastic’s decision to single out Yakutia.info despite similar criticisms from major international gaming publications, influencers, and players. The Day Before, once the most-wishlisted game on Steam, became one of the industry’s biggest disasters upon release. Riddled with bugs and lacking many promised features, the game was swiftly removed from sale, leading to widespread accusations of deception. However, Fntastic has not pursued legal action against larger media outlets that also labeled the game a “scam.”

Yakutia.info also pointed out Fntastic’s deep ties to the region, as the studio was originally founded in Yakutsk by brothers Eduard and Aisen Gotovtsev. Before relocating to Kazakhstan, Fntastic reportedly received years of government support, including office space at a local IT park. This history, combined with the choice to sue a smaller regional outlet rather than larger global publications, has led to speculation that the studio is attempting to intimidate local critics rather than take on well-resourced international media.

Fntastic’s reputation has continued to decline following The Day Before’s failure. In 2023, the studio attempted to crowdfund a new multiplayer game on Kickstarter, raising just $2,351 out of a nearly $15,000 goal before canceling the campaign. It later announced another project and resumed its controversial use of unpaid “volunteers,” a practice that previously drew heavy criticism.