Square Enix is shutting down Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis on October 7, marking the latest exit in the company’s decade-long struggle to establish a foothold in the live-service gaming market. The publisher confirmed the closure, citing the difficulty of providing a satisfying user experience, and has already suspended the sale of the game’s premium currency, Red Crystals.
Why is Square Enix closing Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis?
According to an official company statement, Square Enix decided to terminate the service because it can no longer maintain the quality standards required to satisfy its player base. Despite efforts to provide consistent content updates since the game’s September 2023 launch, the developer concluded that the project was no longer sustainable.
This closure follows a trend of unsuccessful live-service ventures for the Japanese publisher. Square Enix has previously shuttered other high-profile projects, including Babylon’s Fall and Marvel’s Avengers, alongside a series of mobile titles. The company is currently undergoing a deep structural reorganization, shifting its strategy away from projects that fail to secure long-term engagement.
What happens to players and their in-game purchases?
Access to the game is being strictly limited as the October 7 deadline approaches. Square Enix confirmed that the PC version, available via Steam, is being removed from storefronts immediately, preventing new downloads. Current players will retain access to the servers until they go offline at 08:00 (Spanish peninsular time) on the final day.
Refund policies for unused currency remain limited. While Square Enix is offering refunds for unused Red Crystals in Taiwan, the company has not announced similar reimbursement programs for other global territories. Players are effectively left with their existing balances until the servers vanish.
How does this compare to previous Square Enix service closures?
The failure of Ever Crisis highlights a persistent challenge for the publisher. Similarly, Ever Crisis reached a peak of roughly 4,500 concurrent players on Steam—a modest figure for a title built on one of the most recognizable intellectual properties in gaming history.
Unlike some previous closures where content became entirely inaccessible, Square Enix noted that much of the narrative content in Ever Crisis is already complete. The company is encouraging remaining players to finish the story chapters before the shutdown date, as no offline mode is planned for the mobile and PC RPG.
Pro Tip: The Importance of Preservation
When playing live-service games, don’t assume the servers will remain active indefinitely. If a game’s narrative is important to you, prioritize finishing the main campaign early, as developers rarely provide offline patches when shutting down mobile-first titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the servers shut down? The servers for Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis will close on October 7 at 08:00 (Spanish peninsular time).
- Can I still download the game? No, the game is being removed from the Steam store, and mobile availability is being restricted as part of the shutdown process.
- Will there be refunds for my premium currency? Refunds for unused Red Crystals are confirmed only for players in Taiwan; no global refund policy has been issued.
- Is there an offline version of the game? No, Square Enix has not announced an offline version of the game, meaning all content will be inaccessible after the closure.
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