Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis will cease operations on October 6. The sale of in-game Red Crystal currency has already been suspended, marking the beginning of the end for the title, which launched less than three years ago. In an official announcement, Square Enix apologized for the disappointment the closure may cause, stating that while they had "worked to provide the best possible experience," they determined it would be "difficult to continue doing so."
The game's lukewarm reception on Steam, where it holds a "mixed" rating, likely contributed to the decision. Player counts on the PC platform have seen a consistent decline since its release. While the Android and iOS versions may have more favorable reviews, concrete player numbers for these platforms are not publicly available.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis aimed to retell the overarching narrative of Final Fantasy 7, incorporating storylines from the original game, the Advent Children movie, and spin-off titles such as Before Crisis, Crisis Core, and Dirge of Cerberus. However, the game's gacha mechanics and perceived relentless grind were points of criticism, often cited in Steam reviews.
Square Enix has released a final roadmap detailing in-game events leading up to the shutdown. The company also confirmed that all user account information will be deleted once the service end procedures are fully completed, in order to protect personal data. The closure signifies a definitive end for the game's service.