Square Enix Hands Over Octopath Traveler to NetEase

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent's operations are shifting to NetEase, effective January 2024. This transition will reportedly be seamless, with player save data and progress carried over. While fans can breathe a sigh of relief, this move raises questions about Square Enix's overall mobile game strategy.

This news follows the recent announcement of a mobile Final Fantasy XIV, a project facilitated by Tencent's Lightspeed Studios. The outsourcing of Octopath Traveler to NetEase, coupled with the FFXIV mobile collaboration, suggests a potential retreat from direct mobile game development by Square Enix.

The writing may have been on the wall since 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 shift is still regrettable, especially considering the evident demand for their IPs on mobile platforms, as demonstrated by the enthusiastic response to the FFXIV mobile announcement.

While the future of Square Enix's mobile presence remains uncertain, players can explore our list of the top 25 best Android RPGs while awaiting the Octopath Traveler transition.