Unexpected Turn of Events: Major Square Enix Game Meets Untimely Fate

Square Enix has decided to cancel Just Cause: Mobile and will promptly remove the beta version from Google Play. This unfortunate project was intended to be the first spin-off of Just Cause not developed by Avalanche Studios Group, but rather by one of Square Enix's internal teams. Regrettably, the iOS version of the game will never be released.

Originally announced in late 2020, Square Enix had planned for Just Cause: Mobile to be released in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game experienced multiple delays. In November 2021, Square Enix did release an early access version of Just Cause: Mobile for Android smartphones and tablets, but it was only available in Singapore. Although the preview later expanded to other Southeast Asian countries by mid-2022, it did not progress any further.

Following various delays, Just Cause: Mobile has been officially canceled, according to a report by VGC. Square Enix Global Brand Manager Anne-Lou Grosbois-Favreau confirmed the news, expressing gratitude towards fans for their support and acknowledging that canceling a game is never an easy decision. This outcome may not be surprising for those who had experienced the early access version of Just Cause: Mobile, as all in-game purchases were already refunded by Square Enix on February 24, as confirmed by Grosbois-Favreau.

The version history of Just Cause: Mobile suggests that the project was not abruptly cancelled. The game's Google Play page shows that the preview version was last updated in mid-December 2022. Early access titles are typically regularly updated, often with monthly or weekly patches. Although Square Enix officially cancelled the project now, it seems that Just Cause: Mobile had been in a precarious situation since at least last year.

The decision to cancel Just Cause: Mobile may have been influenced by the developer-publisher's recent commercial struggles. In February, Square Enix reported a decline in sales, leading the company to announce various efforts to consolidate resources, including the absorption of Forspoken developer Luminous Productions in May.

The cancellation of Just Cause: Mobile does not necessarily affect the future of the franchise. Square Enix had hinted at the development of Just Cause 5 in mid-2022, reassuring investors that this popular series was not included in its $300 million deal with Embracer Group. The deal involved the sale of some of Square Enix's Western studios and intellectual properties to the Swedish holding company.