Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent will transition its operations to NetEase starting in January. This change shouldn't significantly impact players, as the transfer will include all save data and progress. While fans can breathe a sigh of relief, this move raises questions about Square Enix's future mobile game development strategy.
Earlier this week, the announcement of a mobile Final Fantasy XIV version highlighted the importance of strong partnerships for successful mobile ports, as seen with Tencent's Lightspeed Studios. The outsourcing of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent to NetEase, alongside the FFXIV Mobile collaboration, suggests a potential shift in Square Enix's mobile approach.
They call me the wanderer
Signs of Square Enix scaling back mobile ambitions were evident as early as 2022 with the closure of Square Enix Montreal, the studio behind successful mobile titles like Hitman GO and Deus Ex GO. While the survival of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent is positive news, the shift to NetEase is still noteworthy, especially considering the significant player interest in Square Enix titles on mobile platforms, as demonstrated by the enthusiasm surrounding the FFXIV Mobile announcement.
The question of Square Enix's future mobile game strategy remains. In the meantime, explore our list of the top 25 best RPGs for Android to discover other captivating mobile RPG experiences while awaiting the Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent transition.