Japanese Gacha Games Sinking Like the Titanic

Titanic-Esque Decline of Japanese Gacha Mobile Games

Over the last few months, several free-to-play mobile games developed in Japan have ceased operations. Square Enix has been at the forefront of this trend, signaling a significant pull-back from the gacha mobile market. High development costs and an oversaturated market drive this situation, presenting substantial challenges for Japanese studios. Many admit they no longer see a bright future in developing games for Japanese players on mobile platforms. Following Square Enix’s announcements regarding the closure of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and Dragon Quest of the Stars, a programmer specializing in gacha mobile games shared a stark observation: “It feels like gacha games are sinking again, just like the Titanic. Hanging on in this industry means grabbing onto the last spots left on a ship about to go under.” This programmer believes they can survive in the sector, though they anticipate little economic growth and question their long-term sustainability, concluding, “I don’t think it’ll completely sink, but the number of survivors will keep getting smaller.”

Challenges Abound for Japanese Gacha Developers Transitioning to Console/PC Development

Compounding these difficulties, transitioning to console and PC game development poses additional hurdles. Automaton reports that IndieUs Games, a Japanese company specializing in Unreal Engine development, finds this transition exceptionally difficult, with many developers struggling to adopt specific PC and console development tools without prior experience in those environments.

In Case You Missed It

For all you RPG enthusiasts out there, Sophie Laurent’s latest piece “Final Fantasy 7 Remake at 30fps on Nintendo Switch 2” is a must-read. Published on August 28th, she delves into the exciting news that Square Enix will be releasing a version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 this winter. With stable 30fps performance and visuals that are already impressing experts at Digital Foundry, it’s shaping up to be quite the gaming experience. Make sure to check out the full article here Final Fantasy 7 Remake at 30fps on Nintendo Switch 2 for all the details! Exciting news for fans of immersive gaming experiences: Bruno Pferd’s latest article, “Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Good News If You’re Hoping for a Sequel,” published on August 27, 2025, reveals that the acclaimed game by Sandfall Interactive is set to be more than just a standalone title. Guillaume Broche, the game’s director, has confirmed plans for an expanding franchise including additional games and potential DLC, alongside a cinematic adaptation in the works. Dive into the details at Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Good News If You’re Hoping for a Sequel! If you’re a fan of the Final Fantasy series and can’t get enough speculation about what’s next on the horizon, be sure to check out Bruno Pferd’s latest piece “Final Fantasy 17 Reignites Discussion and Already Divides Players” (published August 28, 2025). In this exciting blog post, he delves into the recent buzz surrounding Final Fantasy 17, where Square Enix is considering various styles and player expectations are all over the map. From turn-based purists to those dreaming of a colorful cel-shaded world, fans are already passionately debating their hopes and fears for the future of the beloved series. Dive in to see what’s stirring among the gaming community and join the conversation! Final Fantasy 17 Reignites Discussion and Already Divides Players

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Bruno Pferd

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