Updated
Updated · Eurogamer.net · Jul 8
Nintendo, Square Enix Shut Down 2 Mobile Games as Big-IP Retreat Deepens
Updated
Updated · Eurogamer.net · Jul 8

Nintendo, Square Enix Shut Down 2 Mobile Games as Big-IP Retreat Deepens

3 articles · Updated · Eurogamer.net · Jul 8

Summary

  • Mario Kart Tour will go offline on Sept. 29-30 and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will end service on Oct. 6, extending the pullback from mobile spinoffs of major game franchises.
  • Nintendo has already stopped Mario Kart Tour sales of rubies and the Gold Pass, while Square Enix said it had become difficult to support Ever Crisis into the future.
  • Ever Crisis generated $20.8 million in September 2023 and $13.3 million the next month, later topping $100 million in player spending by late 2024, but the game failed to build a durable community.
  • The closures follow other retrenchments in the sector, including the shutdown of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Sony's reduced mobile operations and IO Interactive's move away from mobile development.

Insights

As the mobile gaming 'gold rush' ends, what will it take to stop players from deleting a new game?
Why are gaming's biggest franchises thriving on the big screen but dying on mobile phones?