Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent's operations are transferring to NetEase in January. Thankfully, this transition will include a seamless transfer of save data and player progress, minimizing disruption for players.
While this news offers relief to fans, it also raises questions about Square Enix's future mobile game strategy. This move follows a similar outsourcing of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile to Tencent's Lightspeed Studios, suggesting a potential retreat from direct mobile game development.
Recall Square Enix Montreal's closure in 2022, which ended development of titles like Hitman GO and Deus Ex GO. This signaled a possible scaling back of mobile ambitions. Although some titles like Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent are surviving this shift, it's still disappointing, particularly given the significant interest in mobile versions of Square Enix's IPs, as evidenced by the enthusiasm surrounding the FFXIV mobile announcement.
The future of Square Enix's mobile gaming presence remains uncertain. However, while awaiting the Octopath Traveler transfer, consider exploring our list of top Android RPGs.
