Octopath Traveler Mobile Game Shifts Hands to NetEase

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent is transitioning operations to NetEase Games starting January 2024. This change, thankfully, will not significantly impact players, as the transfer includes save data and progress.

While this news is reassuring for fans, it raises questions about Square Enix's overall mobile strategy. This move follows the recent outsourcing of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile to Tencent's Lightspeed Studios, suggesting a potential retreat from direct mobile game development.

The writing may have been on the wall 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, it highlights a shift in Square Enix's approach to the mobile gaming market, despite evident player demand for their titles on mobile platforms, as evidenced by the enthusiasm surrounding the FFXIV mobile announcement.

This strategic shift prompts speculation about Square Enix's future mobile endeavors. However, in the meantime, players can explore our curated list of the top 25 best RPGs for Android.