Square Enix might have just welcomed one of its most successful launches ever in Final Fantasy 16, but that doesn’t mean that it’s immune to a few duds. Case in point, Just Cause: Mobile.
The promising mobile game, which is originally intended to offer a compelling mix of single-player and multiplayer action, is now a casualty of Square Enix’s financial turbulence. The gaming giant recently announced its decision to cancel the game, disappointing fans.
While experts predicted the unfortunate end of Just Cause: Mobile, the announcement leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of the game’s enthusiasts.
Originally announced in 2020, Just Cause: Mobile was expected to launch in 2021, with an early-access version released in Singapore the same year. It promised a comprehensive gameplay experience with unique multiplayer options, including four-player co-op missions and massive 30-player brawls. However, despite the early-access versions and numerous regional roll-outs, the game was delayed repeatedly due to various development hiccups.
Confirming the cancellation, Square Enix brand lead Anne-Lou Grosbois-Favreau said, “It is with great sadness that we are announcing the end of development for Just Cause Mobile.
As of July 3, the game is no longer available on all digital platforms, marking a sudden end to what could’ve been huge for the franchise. The game’s webpage is also inaccessible, showing the finality of Square Enix’s decision.
This cancellation will undoubtedly leave a void in the hearts of Just Cause fans, who were expecting the mobile game to be a new experience for the series. The game, built using Unreal Engine 4, had promised the exhilarating experience of being able to zoom around using a parachute, wingsuit, and grapple hook, all on a mobile platform. It was set to offer a full story campaign along with 30-player competitive multiplayer and four-player co-op missions, designed to enthrall players.
It’s worth noting that Just Cause Mobile isn’t the only mobile game to face the axe recently. The likes of Battlefield Mobile and Apex Legends Mobile from EA and even Square Enix’s own Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier all saw a similar fate earlier this year, indicating a worrying trend in the world of mobile gaming.
The cancellation of Just Cause: Mobile serves as a grim reminder of the harsh realities of the gaming industry. Despite the promise of exciting gameplay and the potential to explore new territories in the Just Cause universe, the game fell victim to financial struggles and other complexities.
