Square Enix has made shocking announcement to terminate the global service of its popular free-to-pay mobile game, Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, on October 30th. Well, this announcement is just days after Blue Protocol declared their end of service.
Launched globally in 2016 after its initial release in Japan in 2015, the game has garnered a massive following thanks to its engaging gameplay, iconic characters, and nostalgic pixel art, and of course millions of Dollar from microtransactions. Despite its success, the Japanese version of the game will continue to operate, while global players prepare to bid farewell to a beloved title.
The Journey of Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius
Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius carved its niche in the mobile gaming world by combining classic turn-based battles with modern gacha mechanics, attracting both long-time fans of the franchise and new players alike. Its distinctive pixel art style paid homage to the series’ roots, while the gameplay introduced an accessible yet strategic battle system that resonated with a diverse player base. One of the most notable highlights of the game was the inclusion of pop star Ariana Grande, who appeared as her alter-ego from her third album, Dangerous Woman, adding a unique and memorable crossover event that drew significant media attention.
Since its launch on June 30, 2016, Square Enix has continually updated Brave Exvius with new content, collaborations, and events, keeping the game fresh and engaging for its global audience. However, the announcement to end the global service has left many players nostalgic and reflective about the countless hours spent building teams, summoning heroes, and engaging in battles.
Why is Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius Shutting Down?
The decision to end the global service of Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius stems from challenges in maintaining the app experience at the quality that players expect. The development team expressed their gratitude to the player community, stating, “Since Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius’s launch, we’ve strived to provide an incredible and enjoyable gaming experience for our players every day that could exceed the day before. However, we’ve come to the conclusion that it would be difficult to continue maintaining the app experience, and to therefore end the app service.”
While specific reasons behind the shutdown have not been detailed, it’s common for mobile games to face hurdles such as declining player engagement, increased operational costs, and the competitive nature of the mobile gaming market. By focusing on maintaining the Japanese version, Square Enix may be concentrating its resources on sustaining a region where the game continues to perform well.
It might be confusing, that they keep the game running only for the Japan region when a game such as Blue Protocol even couldn’t sustain itself in its Japanese version.
Impact on Players and In-Game Purchases
With the global service set to end on October 30th, players are advised to enjoy their remaining time in the game and make the most of ongoing events. The sale of in-game currency Lapis and bundles has already ceased as of the announcement, signaling the final stages of Brave Exvius’s lifecycle. While in-game events will continue to be updated until the closure, players should be aware that all progress and accounts will be permanently deleted once the service ends.
This shutdown means players will lose access to their teams, collected units, and any purchased content, highlighting a significant downside of the free-to-play mobile game model. Despite the disappointment, the development team has expressed heartfelt thanks to the player base, acknowledging the passion and dedication that have fueled the game’s success over the years.
Well, when you first register to every gacha title or Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, there’s a policy that makes you strongly agree that developers won’t be responsible for every penny spent by players. They even sometimes make a pop-up notice like “spend wisely’ on their summoning banner. This is a one-way ticket, and developers don’t even owe something.
For players seeking the same experiences, pixelated or cute arts, or might be the successor of Brave Frontier, it’s worth exploring other titles like Grand Summoners and Last Cloudia. These two games offer varying gameplay mechanics and storylines, catering to different preferences within the fanbase of Final Fantasy series.