Over 100 Smartphone Games Terminated Service In Japan In Just The First Four Months Of 2017

Recommended Videos

The other day, GungHo Online Entertainment announced that it is shutting down services of Emil Chronicle Online, an MMORPG that first launched in Japan back in 2005. The online game had a history of over a decade in service, which was likely disappointing news for its longtime fans.

 

The announcement prompted Otapol to do a little research on other games that have recently terminated service, and they were surprised to see that from the start of 2017 through mid-April, over 100 smartphone games had announced its termination of service in Japan.

 

Here’s a big list of just some of the smartphone games that come from popular IPs or well-known companies [images courtesy Hachima]:

 

Aria ~Aqua Ritmo~ (BBB)

a475251e7d273ae8e669b625b28bf486

 

The Asterisk War Festa Kirameki no Stella (Bandai Namco)

44bdb315f63e0f74b8799991137bb3b4

 

Demons Gate (Donuts)

785db3598674f5ade3503cb91c7487f3

 

Kaku-San-Sei Million Arthur (Square Enix)

9ab486461e02e15930c4e82bd219f332

 

Shirotsugu (Cave)

75f25d03f62fda6bdfdb7ee651404831

 

Shutsugeki! Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Busoufuuki Iin-kai (SDR)

37dc0cab25cf4ae0e0222a8bcfe65bc0

 

Deadman’s Cross (Square Enix)

ac92ffd32b865d85bb113d87ff55c611

 

Youtou – Arashi to Fubuki: Sword of Twins

22d630a31e32e34f44b74377c2d401c2

 

Onimusha Soul (Capcom)

9b551a85335c02228155e3ecfb6652ac

 

Street Fighter Puzzle Spirits (Capcom)

7990_howto_2

 

Makia x Dolls (Career Innovation)

1fe8624b9790777c716308a242ca2189

 

Noutore Quest 2 (Geisha Tokyo Entertainment)

d5a37c033daac5b4d8f6d10eefe34c84

 

Road to Dragons (Acquire)

8449e490fa5022d25003ea104568ce5f

 

JK Vampire ~Unmei no Festa~ (DeNA)

856a4888638c27d82c9780576d889253

 

Mainichi Pro Yakyuu (NHN PlayArt)

212791e22fcae63953882e3fd36bc2ef

 

MonHun: Itsudemo Airuu Life (Capcom)

01559b0ffb8f98c868f75d93176125ca

 

 

Street Fighter Battle Combination (Capcom)

5e92f016a2e6b1056bb5cf9c3c738c1d

 

Dragon Quest Monsters Wanted! (Square Enix)

f46358a8266eb214ecadbd464ba97d4a

 

Tokyo Ghoul carnaval ∫ color (Bandai Namco)

52e9aeeb7244252103f6ceb9b422dd18

 

Bakusou! Furyou Densetsu (Pakureserve)

ba3724441c6ba7f950f96acbe4881f26

 

Cute High Earth Defense Club Love! Love! Game! (NHN PlayArt)

f60486cffe618c1023bfcc32c30bbe4b

 

Seven Deadly Sins: Pocket no Naka no Kishi-dan (DeNA)

a5df2e25bd3d6b55bab13b7fbe78bb12_tb

 

Pro Yakyuu Dream Nine Superstars (Konami)

895a8f30b477daebbe205bac85a5f850

 

Hello Hero (GameOn)

3629e7bc60a5bcd2d9fbc2604f25025c

 

One Piece: Adventure Log (Bandai Namco)

bc75fdea3158656300e996c34df35d5a

 

Yowamushi Pedal: Puchitto Racers (FuRyu)

b9bc9d1ef05f5a4cf6c9368a46a6b663

 

Crazy Tower (GungHo Online Entertainment)

56f5ad37dfd33e70685c300585ab6c87_tb

 

Sangoku Tenka Trigger (GungHo Online Entertainment)

1115483e454eb473415d4069a7260b0e

 

Puzzle & Dragons (China Version) (GungHo Online Entertainment)

2cd01e7603271f54412879b68f13ff2b

 

Fist of the North Star: SmartShock (DeNA)

6901c64ba169838053ff106cacec408d

 

Justice Monsters V (Square Enix)

a8da03b390d25be321d7e16680efeb65

 

The list includes a variety of smartphone games including some that continued its service for over seven years such as Shirotsuku, some that had its own TV ads airing at a point, and some that might be familiar to many anime and manga fans.

 

Otapol notes that during their search they came across many articles about video game makers going bankrupt or withdrawing from the business, which is also commonly seen in business magazines and news sites. However, it was noted that they didn’t find any good media that provides a reliable flow of updates on smartphone apps and social games, but after looking up “terminates service” they were  able to come across many articles and announcements across the web about the over 100 titles that shut down from the start of this year through mid-April.

 

During their search of recently terminated smartphone games, Otapol found that many followed a similar advertising trend using keywords such as “luxurious voice actors,” “full-blown,” “simple touch,” and “dramatic.” Many of these titles were also games that barely lasted about half a year since launch.

 

In conclusion, the study doesn’t mean that the pace of smartphone game production is slowing down, as Otapol mentions that new smartphone games are still popping up “like bamboo shoots after the rain” and that if anything, it shows that it’s a fierce and competitive market, where only a small fraction of the titles become big hits.

related content
Read Article Genshin Impact Switch Website Was Temporarily Unavailable
Genshin Impact Switch Website Was Temporarily Unavailable
Read Article Characters Can Drink Mayonnaise in Stardew Valley 1.6
While the Stardew Valley 1.5 mobile update won't make it out before 2022 ends as planned, it will appear at the beginning of 2023. Characters Can Drink Mayonnaise in Stardew Valley 1.6
Read Article Jujutsu Kaisen: Phantom Parade Will Be Available on PC in 2024
Jujutsu Kaisen Phantom Parade PC version appearing in 2024
Read Article Zenless Zone Zero Amplifying Beta Test Announced 
Zenless Zone Zero Amplifying Beta Test Announced
Read Article Honkai: Star Rail First Anniversary Events Detailed
Honkai: Star Rail First Anniversary Events Detailed
Related Content
Read Article Genshin Impact Switch Website Was Temporarily Unavailable
Genshin Impact Switch Website Was Temporarily Unavailable
Read Article Characters Can Drink Mayonnaise in Stardew Valley 1.6
While the Stardew Valley 1.5 mobile update won't make it out before 2022 ends as planned, it will appear at the beginning of 2023. Characters Can Drink Mayonnaise in Stardew Valley 1.6
Read Article Jujutsu Kaisen: Phantom Parade Will Be Available on PC in 2024
Jujutsu Kaisen Phantom Parade PC version appearing in 2024
Read Article Zenless Zone Zero Amplifying Beta Test Announced 
Zenless Zone Zero Amplifying Beta Test Announced
Read Article Honkai: Star Rail First Anniversary Events Detailed
Honkai: Star Rail First Anniversary Events Detailed
Author
Sato
Gamer, avid hockey fan, and firm believer in the heart of the cards.