longevity of this game?

[JoeVagabond]

I worry that investing time into this game won't be worth it, if they remove support several years down the road and block access. Is this a realistic endpoint that all gacha games eventually get to? I like the idea of playing it every now and again for years and years, but maybe that is unrealistic?

[TotemMX]

I'm hoping that game will last until they finish the actual FF7:Remake Trilogy. So probably at least 2+ years more support.

I don't think this game is a big success, but is a good investment for players and Square Enix.

[MagnumRPG]

again this doesn't have genshin or star rail numbers but this is for sure quare enix's biggest mobile success as long as people keep playing and occasionally spending it will last

[MagnumRPG]

i'm not sure about ever i mean compared to its recent tittles but all online games eventually shutter i can't remember its name but another final fantasy game with more characters then this a lot more shut down after six years i heard

[Stormtr8per]

There was a similar discussion in this thread: https://steamcommunity.com/app/2484110/discussions/0/4338725867375199955/

Originally posted by MagnumRPG:

i'm not sure about ever i mean compared to its recent tittles but all online games eventually shutter i can't remember its name but another final fantasy game with more characters then this a lot more shut down after six years i heard

Well, @MagnumRPG, you "heard" it from me in that thread. You were thinking of Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia.

Anyway, I'll copy and paste my reply to that thread here, since I think it's relevant:

Originally posted by Stormtr8per:

While I don't fully remember all the Square Enix mobile games that I've touched upon, but I don't think that a PC-port of a mobile game can improve its lifespan.

I've played the following Square Enix titles that no longer exist, where I've written with the years when they were active. I've only taken the Western releases (regardless of iOS/Android-versions) into account:

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade (2012-2014, no PC-port) - 2 years
Symphonica (2012-2016, no PC-port), 4 years
Guardian Cross (2012-2017, no PC-port) - 5 years
Deadman's Cross (2014-2017, no PC-port) - 3 years
Final Fantasy All The Bravest (2013-2023, no PC-port) - 10 years
Final Fantasy Record Keeper (2015-2022, no PC-port) - 7 years
Mobius Final Fantasy (2016-2020, PC-port at Steam) - 4 years

The following game is going to be shut down:
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia (2018-2024, no PC-port) - 6 years

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (2016-) and War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (2020-) are other on-going titles besides FF7EC.

So as you can see, Mobius FF was the only title that got a PC Steam-port, and it didn't last longer than 4 years compared with the other mobile f2p FF-titles besides Airborne Brigade, and of course, The First Soldier.

TFS is definitely a title that I would have loved to see a PC-port of, since my phone couldn't run it. If FF7EC was mobile exclusive as well, then I wouldn't have been able to play it. I was able to play FF7EC back in September with an Android emulator, but subsequent updates have stopped this option.

Let's see how long FF7EC lasts. Hopefully we'll get to experience the story of Before Crisis before this game shuts down. That future is certain.

Now back to your question, @JoeVagabond:

Originally posted by JoeVagabond:

I worry that investing time into this game won't be worth it, if they remove support several years down the road and block access. Is this a realistic endpoint that all gacha games eventually get to? I like the idea of playing it every now and again for years and years, but maybe that is unrealistic?

Unfortunately, you nowadays have to expect that f2p games will disappear, sooner or later. I used to think like you, that f2p games would last for years and I could "just" revisit my favourite f2p game after some time. But they don't.

Just look at WB Games: They've removed the mobile version of Arkham Origins and Batman & The Flash: Hero Run.

Look at Gameloft: They've removed the endless runner Spider-Man Unlimited and the premium games The Amazing Spider-Man and its mobile sequel, and The Dark Knight Rises.

Look at SEGA: They launched SEGA Forever back in 2017, only to pull the plug last year and delisted many emulated games, such as Phantasy Star Classic (which consisted of Phantasy Star II, III and IV), that was made f2p.

Look at Kemco, famous for many of their games for older Nintendo systems. They had a couple of free and ad-supported JRPG titles that are no longer updated for newer Android versions.

[MagnumRPG]

ah thanks i'll be honest my short term memory has never been great might be related to my disabillity

[thunder_bgr]

From what i gather they tackle the game seriously this time avoiding many egambling pitfalls. They still need to make money of course, but they are extremely generous in giving out all sorts of stuff like free draws daily, resources and currency. You can go through 99% of all game content as fully F2P. Check Payneblade YT channel for his guides on this.
My hope is it survives until Advent Children content as that is what i want to play.

[MagnumRPG]

Well i did my part i didn't go full whale but i have spent more then i planed basically i just want one special set of armor per character so my characters can fall into specialised roles i just like my characters to be a little different i need armours for sepiroth barret and matt

[MagnumRPG]

arieth, boost ice damage by 30 percent cloud boost fire for 30 yuffie boost wind or buff's i got her wind armour in the rarest 12 stamps at once pull tifa and zack both ending boosting physical but whatever good fits for them they can pair with my Glenn who boost it for the whole group

[MagnumRPG]

oh yeah and red has that hellfire skin that wirdky both boost and reisit ice and fire

[Stormtr8per]

Originally posted by thunder_bgr:

They still need to make money of course, but they are extremely generous in giving out all sorts of stuff like free draws daily, resources and currency.

Every game developer needs to make money. But what many people are against is the gacha mechanics that a mobile version of their beloved JRPG has gotten.

Originally posted by thunder_bgr:

You can go through 99% of all game content as fully F2P. Check Payneblade YT channel for his guides on this.

This sounds too good to be true. Have you already finished Chapter 5 of FF7 and The First Soldier already, just by following his videos? I only care about progressing in the story.

Not everyone has time to watch YouTube videos that are longer than 3 minutes, just to get hints on how to progress quicker in FF7EC.

Originally posted by thunder_bgr:

My hope is it survives until Advent Children content as that is what i want to play.

Don't you mean Before Crisis? That online-only game was exclusively released in Japan and has never gotten a Western release. Since it's shutdown in 2018, the game is lost media.

Advent Children already exists as a movie. Why would you want to replay that particular story, unless you want to relive it in original FF7 fashion?

[MagnumRPG]

I Have payed a little money and i am still having issues with the latest last soldier chapter granted they were my weakest guys and no where near max level but hyper stamp just kicked my ass i'm not even trying it again till they are all lvl 70 with most of the grid maxed lol i'm not far off