In a development update posted to the official Kingdom Hearts website, Square Enix has announced the cancellation of its mobile title Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link.
Originally revealed at the franchise’s 20th-anniversary event in 2022, Missing Link had undergone several closed beta testing phases. However, Square Enix confirmed today that the project has been shelved. The company also released a teaser trailer for the now-cancelled game, which can be viewed below.
The official statement reads: “We have made the decision to cancel the development of Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link,” adding, “We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service.” The message goes on to say that while the title might have entertained some players, the team determined it would be “difficult” to maintain a satisfactory experience over the long term.
The announcement emphasizes that the Kingdom Hearts series will continue, and the team remains “hard at work on Kingdom Hearts IV.” Aside from a teaser trailer—also released during the 20th-anniversary event—Square Enix has remained relatively tight-lipped regarding the fourth title. The company has also released its medium-term business plan, which outlines an “aim to strengthen the creation of new IP and further develop our cross-media strategy.”
It remains to be seen whether cancelling a live-service mobile title is a part of that aim, especially considering Square Enix recently shuttered production on War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (with shutdown commencing this month on May 30) due to similar difficulties facing Missing Link, Square notes a dwindling “satisfactory app experience” as a reason for FFBE‘s shutdown according to GamesIndustry.
No further information has been shared regarding Kingdom Hearts IV, and fans will just have to wait for further information on future franchise announcements following the cancellation of Missing Link.
