Developers should be aware of the unforgettable downsides of changing the game’s in-app purchase model. You can see that they can be devastating enough to be able to defeat the entire game with them.
This is for the iOS version of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, a remaster of the 2003 GameCube game. It was then ported to a mobile platform. In all versions of the game, including Switch, PlayStation 4 and Android, players can purchase character costumes to mimic other Final Fantasy References throughout the series. Especially in the mobile version, in-app purchases allowed players to upgrade from the game demo to the full version. This recent change to the in-app purchase model is a glitch and does not provide post-purchase qualifications to buyers. Square Enix says it can’t be fixed.
“The problem is due to changes made to the in-app purchase model,” reads a post on the official Final Fantasy series website. “A further investigation reveals that we cannot fully fix the bug and implement new changes, and we rarely resume the service of the game. Therefore, unfortunately, we have ended support for the iOS version of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle. We have to announce that we will do it.”
Square Enix says the bug has only been reported since the last week of January. Refunds for players who have passed the bug and completed their purchase are available within a specific time frame of purchase.
This is a rough lesson from Square Enix, given that the Crystal Chronicle from iOS is likely to cost some money on the port. It could also be an important lesson to communicate to other parts of the industry. Small things can cause the sky to crash if not handled with the utmost care.
