In a year marked by numerous closures and wind-downs of even the most recent releases, fans of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent can breathe a sigh of relief. This mobile spin-off of the beloved throwback RPG is not facing the same fate. However, starting January next year, Square Enix will transfer the handling of operations to NetEase. This move raises questions about Square Enix's future commitment to mobile gaming.
You might remember our coverage earlier this week about the announcement of an official mobile version of another Square Enix property, Final Fantasy XIV (14). In a recent interview, it was revealed that the port's feasibility stemmed from the enthusiasm shown by Lightspeed Studios, a subsidiary of Tencent.
With Octopath Traveler on mobile now set to be managed by NetEase, and the assurance that you can transfer your save data and other progress during the switchover, alongside the outsourcing of FFXIV Mobile, it's natural to wonder where Square Enix stands on mobile gaming.
They call me the wandererThe signs of Square Enix 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 reassuring to see that some releases will endure this strategic shift, it's still disappointing that such changes are necessary, especially given the significant interest in seeing many Square Enix properties on mobile, as demonstrated by the huge interest in FFXIV on mobile.
It's a valid question to pose. In the meantime, if you're eager to explore other modern classics, why not check out our list of the top 25 best RPGs for Android?
