Japanese solo developer Shigefusa Works, currently crafting their turn-based roguelike RPG Dungeon Overdose, recently shared an update on X about the game’s publishing journey. In the post, the developer detailed a frustrating encounter with a local publisher, explaining that they ultimately declined a contract offer after negotiations stretched unfairly for over a year.
The developer’s post gained significant attention on the Japanese X platform, resonating with fellow indie and solo creators who responded with their own tales of challenging publisher interactions.
Shigefusa revealed that the publisher in question first approached them during the Tokyo Game Dungeon 8 event in May 2025, where Dungeon Overdose was being showcased. Talks commenced promptly, with both sides aiming to finalize a publishing deal around July or August of that year.
Prior to signing, the developer had already furnished the publisher with Wishlist statistics, the projected release window, build progress, and all other pertinent details. Despite ongoing discussions about revenue splits and other contract specifics, the publisher cited internal matters and rescheduled the signing to September.
The signing deadline was deferred once more, this time to January. In response to the publisher’s requests, the developer hired an artist to create fresh promotional artwork for the game. However, when January arrived, the publisher requested another delay, pushing the signing to February.
The contract signing continued to be postponed through the subsequent months, culminating in May 2026, when the publisher asked Shigefusa to exhibit Dungeon Overdose at a video game expo. According to the developer, they received no support from the publisher for the event.
After several more months of delays, Shigefusa pressed the publisher for a final decision by the end of August. The publisher’s eventual response was that the game’s Wishlist count was insufficient for profitability and that securing a publishing contract would be challenging.
Shigefusa expressed that their primary frustration stemmed from the publisher’s prolonged indecisiveness, only to reject the project over Wishlist numbers that had been disclosed at the outset of negotiations.
“Had having over 10,000 Wishlists been a prerequisite from the beginning, I wish they had stated it clearly. If you claim to ‘support developers,’ I wish you had shown more respect for our time and livelihoods,” Shigefusa noted.
Although the experience was “disheartening,” Shigefusa stated they are relieved they did not sign the contract and are now committed to self-publishing Dungeon Overdose.
Dungeon Overdose is currently in development for PC (Steam), with a release slated for late 2026. While the Steam Store page does not currently list an English version, Shigefusa has confirmed that the game will include English support.