In a year marked by numerous game closures and wind-downs, fans of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent can breathe a sigh of relief. The mobile spin-off of the beloved throwback RPG will not meet the same fate. Instead, Square Enix has announced that operations will be transferred to NetEase starting in January next year. This move, while ensuring the continuity of the game with the transfer of save data and progress, raises questions about Square Enix's commitment to the mobile gaming market.
Earlier this week, we highlighted the announcement of an official mobile version of another Square Enix property, Final Fantasy XIV. The feasibility of this port was significantly influenced by the enthusiasm shown by Lightspeed Studios, a Tencent subsidiary. With Octopath Traveler now being handed over to NetEase and FFXIV Mobile being outsourced, it's natural to wonder about Square Enix's current stance on mobile gaming.
They call me the wandererThe signs of Square Enix possibly scaling back their mobile ambitions were evident as early as 2022, with the closure of Square Enix Montreal, the developer behind acclaimed titles like Hitman GO and Deus Ex GO. While it's positive that some releases will continue despite this shift in strategy, it's disheartening to see such changes, especially given the strong interest in bringing more Square Enix properties to mobile platforms, as evidenced by the enthusiasm for FFXIV on mobile.
These developments prompt valid questions about Square Enix's future in mobile gaming. In the meantime, if you're looking to explore other modern classics, why not check out our list of the top 25 best RPGs for Android?
