Square Enix Announces End of Service for Popular Mobile Game 'Hoshi no Dragon Quest'

Square Enix has announced that "Hoshi no Dragon Quest" (Star of Dragon Quest), a popular mobile game, will cease operations on October 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM (JST). The game, which has been enjoyed by many players for approximately ten years since its launch in 2015, will thus conclude its long history.

According to the official announcement, the reason for the service termination is that "we have concluded it will be difficult to continue providing a service that satisfies our customers." Some users speculate that the increasing complexity of the development environment may be a contributing factor.

Following this announcement, many fans expressed their sadness and gratitude on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Comments such as "It's amazing it lasted 10 years," "A title filled with so many memories," and "Thank you for your long service" poured in, briefly making it a trending topic. Notably, many reminisced about the "New Map" commercial appearances and the high-quality Godzilla collaboration event.

Square Enix also announced the termination of service for "FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS (FFBE)" around the same time. Both titles are reaching their approximate ten-year milestone with these decisions. This has led some users to express concerns about a turning point in the current mobile game industry and the future of other titles.

'Hoshi no Dragon Quest' has supported and accompanied many players on their adventures. During the remaining period until the service ends, players will likely reflect on their memories within the game world as they approach its final moments.

The Context

For non-Japanese readers, "Dragon Quest" is one of Japan's most iconic and beloved role-playing game (RPG) franchises, created by Yuji Horii and published by Square Enix (formerly Enix). It is known for its classic turn-based combat, charming monster designs by Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball), and memorable music by Koichi Sugiyama. "Hoshi no Dragon Quest" translates to "Star of Dragon Quest" and was a successful mobile adaptation, bringing the franchise's elements to smartphones. Square Enix is a prominent Japanese video game developer and publisher, also famous for the "Final Fantasy" series. The mention of "New Map" (新しい地図) refers to a popular Japanese musical group formed by three former members of the idol group SMAP, whose appearance in commercials for major titles like "Hoshi no Dragon Quest" would have been a significant cultural event in Japan. The simultaneous closure of "FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS" highlights a broader trend or challenge within the Japanese mobile game market for established titles reaching the ten-year mark.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A New Species of Cat Discovered for the First Time in Over 100 Years! Meet the 'Tilkayo'

In September 2026, cat lovers and internet users around the world were met with shocking and delightful news: a brand-new species of cat has been discovered for the first time in over a century. This newly discovered species has been named the "Tilkayo." Boasting a wild yet dignified appearance alongside undeniable cuteness, its distinctive striped pattern and other unique features have received rave reviews on social media, with comments calling it "irresistible," "cool," and noting that "even in its small size, it has the eyes of a hunter." While the fact that no new cat species had been discovered in over 100 years came as a surprise in itself, users could not hide their excitement, with posts declaring it "big enough news for news outlets to issue extra editions" and noting that "the world is still vast." Furthermore, many pet owners have been looking upon the Tilkayo with warm affection, projecting the likeness of their o...
Read more

Typhoon No. 25 Disrupts Tokyo Game Show 2026: Cancellation Sparks Refund Confusion and Travel Woes

Due to the approach of Typhoon No. 25 over the weekend, widespread disruptions are occurring at events and transportation networks across various regions. Notably, the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2026, one of Japan's largest gaming festivals, announced the cancellation of its events scheduled for Monday, September 21 (National Holiday), prompting a surge of social media posts regarding ticket refund procedures. According to official announcements, while the event will proceed as planned on Sunday, September 20, the final day on Monday, September 21 has been canceled. Regarding ticket refunds associated with this cancellation, visitors are advised to check the instructions provided by the respective ticket agencies where they made their purchases. On social media, while some users expressed relief, saying, "It's a relief that refunds will be processed automatically," others voiced confusion and questions, such as, "I don't know how to get a refund for already issued...
Read more

Strike Noir Gundam Returns in METAL BUILD 20th Memorial Color: Fan Excitement Overshadowed by Price Concerns

The Strike Noir Gundam, a popular mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E.73 -STARGAZER, has been announced for a new release in the METAL BUILD series featuring a special '20th MEMORIAL COLOR,' creating a major buzz on social media. The newly announced METAL BUILD Strike Noir Gundam (20th MEMORIAL COLOR) features a color scheme that strongly reflects its appearance in the series, along with adjusted set contents. Pre-orders will begin at 4:00 PM on September 25 on the Tamashii Web Shop (Premium Bandai). The price is set at 39,600 yen (including tax), with shipping scheduled for March 2027. While many fans expressed joy over the striking sculpt and the long-awaited return in a modified specification, posts from fans struggling with the price tag and a heavy lineup of expensive items releasing around the same time have also flooded social media. Praises such as 'The Strike Noir looks way too cool' and 'It's an absolute must-buy' highlight its high qualit...
Read more