Paprium Delays: WaterMelon’s Sega Genesis Brawler Faces Communication Struggles

Paprium Delays: WaterMelon’s Sega Genesis Brawler Faces Communication Struggles Originally announced as an innovative side-scrolling fighter for the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), Paprium quickly captured the attention of retro gaming fans and collectors.

Developed by WaterMelon, the same team responsible for the acclaimed RPG Pier Solar (which also began on Sega’s iconic 16-bit platform before making its way to the Wii U eShop), Paprium was slated for release in late 2017.

However, despite an enthusiastic crowdfunding campaign fueled by pre-orders, the game's launch has experienced repeated and lengthy delays. Background on Paprium and WaterMelon WaterMelon’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of retro hardware began with Pier Solar, which brought new life to the Sega Genesis and later found a home on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and Wii U via the eShop.

Paprium was expected to be a spiritual successor, developed with striking visuals and ambitious mechanics by lead artist and art director Luis Martins.

Yet, over a year after its scheduled release, fans have been left waiting with minimal communication from the developer. Communication and Payment Issues Plague Development WaterMelon attributed initial delays to issues with PayPal affecting the processing of pre-order funds in early 2017.

More recently, the company cited further production setbacks.

The lack of email communication about these delays — even to customers who placed pre-orders as early as March 2017 — has fueled concerns within the community about the health of the project. Seeking clarity, we reached out to Luis Martins, Paprium’s co-creator and former art director.

Martins, whose daytime credits include AAA Ubisoft titles like Rise Of The Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, For Honor, and Watch Dogs 2, shed light on the internal challenges.

He stated, in a clear and candid manner, that while WaterMelon’s founder Gwenael "Fronzie" Godde continues to plan for the game's release, the company has suffered from a "consistent lack of transparency and communication." Martins emphasized that he had previously expressed concerns about WaterMelon’s failure to uphold responsibilities — both with timely payments and developer relations, noting many collaborators, himself included, faced compensation delays over the years. "Paprium is a project I co-created in partnership with WaterMelon.

While I am still eager to see it released as soon as possible, I have no direct control over its fate anymore, and this has caused considerable frustration.

At this point, the next steps are up to WaterMelon’s management, and all of us are waiting for a resolution that fans have anticipated for far too long," said Martins, summarizing the situation. Community Support and the Way Forward Despite the setbacks, the Sega Genesis homebrew community remains vibrant.

Martins highlighted that other anticipated titles, such as Crypt Of Dracula, are steadily progressing, stressing a strong sense of knowledge sharing and camaraderie between developers — including those behind titles like Xeno Crisis and Tanglewood. For disappointed supporters, WaterMelon has publicly confirmed via its Facebook page that refunds are available upon request.

As Paprium’s fate hangs in the balance, the situation serves as a cautionary tale about crowd-funded retro hardware releases and emphasizes the importance of open communication between developers and their fan bases. As the retro scene on platforms old and new — from Sega Genesis to the Nintendo Switch eShop — continues to grow, fans remain hopeful for the eventual release of Paprium and look forward to what’s next from this passionate development community.

Sega Genesis PayPal Sega Genesis Paprium WaterMelon Mega Drive Luis Martins Ubisoft Pier Solar