Sq. Enix Abandons Chocobo Racing Recreation 9 Months After Launch

A sport not included on our list of major 2022 games that died this year was Sq. Enix’s kart racer, Chocobo GP. There’s a cause for that, as it should stay playable for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, as Sq. Enix introduced on December 21, the sport is successfully useless now since “no additional giant scale updates” are coming any time quickly. RIP.

Chocobo GP is the sequel to Sq. Enix’s 1999 speedster, Chocobo Racing. One other entry deliberate for the Nintendo 3DS, Codename: Chocobo Racing 3D, was introduced at E3 2010 however quickly canceled earlier than ever seeing the sunshine of day. Chocobo GP, which launched onMarch 10, 2022 for Nintendo Swap was a stunning return for the long-dormant franchise that drew ire from fans for its grindy mechanics and costly battle move.

Learn Extra: Square Enix Apologizes For Chocobo GP Grind Following Backlash

Now, in a perhaps not-so-surprising flip of occasions, Sq. Enix has ended assist for Chocobo GP simply 9 months after the sport’s launch. It wasn’t even a 12 months outdated but, however in an important notice on the sport’s web site, the writer mentioned “there shall be no additional giant scale updates (e.g. new characters or new maps) [added] to [Chocobo GP] after the Season 5 replace on Wednesday, December 21.” Rankings will proceed with out using the battle move (known as prize move within the sport), however you may now not purchase the premium in-game forex Mythril from the Nintendo eShop. The in-game store you’d use mentioned Mythril, together with any unspent Mythril you could have, will vanish solely from Chocobo GP on January 6.

“Moreover, new gadgets will proceed to be added to the Mythril store throughout Season 5 as earlier than, however the identical gadgets may be added to the Ticket or Gil retailers on the identical time and turn out to be accessible to acquire with out spending Mythril,” Sq. Enix mentioned. “Gadgets initially offered within the Mythril Store in the course of the Season 1 to Season 4 durations may be added to the Ticket or Gil Outlets. We hope you proceed to get pleasure from Chocobo GP.”

Kotaku reached out to Sq. Enix for remark.

Sq. Enix didn’t present a trigger or rationalization for it’s unceremoniously ending assist for the Mario Kart-like racer. Perhaps allocating assets to the sport proved untenable or developer Arika is focusing its consideration some place else. It’s laborious to say, however regardless, you’ll nonetheless be capable of play Chocobo GP till it’s taken offline. Each time that occurs.