Octopath Arrives: NetEase to Handle Operations for Continent

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent's operations are transitioning to NetEase in January 2024. This change, thankfully, shouldn't disrupt player progress, as save data and game advancements will transfer seamlessly. While this news offers immediate relief to fans, it raises questions about Square Enix's future mobile gaming strategy.

The year has seen numerous game closures, making the continued operation of this popular mobile spin-off a welcome exception. However, Square Enix's decision to outsource Champions of the Continent to NetEase, following a similar move with the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV mobile version (outsourced to Tencent's Lightspeed Studios), hints at a potential scaling back of their mobile game development efforts.

This strategic shift might have been foreshadowed as early as 2022 with the closure of Square Enix Montreal, the studio behind successful mobile titles like Hitman GO and Deus Ex GO. Although some Square Enix mobile games will continue, the need for outsourcing highlights a change in their approach. The significant interest in a mobile FFXIV port underscores the potential market for Square Enix mobile games.

While the future of Square Enix's mobile presence remains uncertain, players can explore our list of top Android RPGs while awaiting the transition of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent.