Square Enix Hands Over Octopath Traveler Operations to NetEase

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent will transition operational management to NetEase Games starting January 2024. This change, thankfully, will not disrupt player progress, as save data and game progress will be seamlessly transferred.

While fans can breathe a sigh of relief, this move raises questions about Square Enix's future mobile game strategy. This year has seen numerous game closures, making the continued operation of Champions of the Continent a positive exception. However, the outsourcing to NetEase, following a similar arrangement with Tencent for the Final Fantasy XIV mobile port, suggests a potential scaling back of Square Enix's direct involvement in mobile game development.

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. This shift, while preserving some existing mobile games, is still regrettable, particularly given the evident demand for Square Enix titles on mobile platforms, as highlighted by the significant interest in the FFXIV mobile release.

The future of Square Enix's mobile ambitions remains uncertain. In the meantime, explore our curated list of the top 25 best Android RPGs to discover new gaming experiences.