Square Enix sue mech game developer for allegedly recycling parts from Front Mission

Final Fantasy steadfast goes aft erstwhile Front Mission 2089: Borderscape team

It's been a cardinal years since I played a due caller Front Mission game, and I'm depressed to larn that Square Enix cancelled 1 successful 2022. Titled Front Mission 2089: Borderscape and developed by BlackJack Studio, it was announced for merchandise connected iOS and Android but, who knows, mightiness person clanked and rumbled onto PC, the spot each bully mobile games spell erstwhile they die. Alas, Square Enix unopen the task down a fewer months aft reveal. Now, they're suing BlackJack for releasing a caller crippled that allegedly makes usage of leftover parts from the Front Mission contract.

As reported by Polygon, BlackJack Studio released a crippled called Metal Storm, oregon Mecharashi, successful October 2024. Square Enix assertion that BlackJack (known successful the suit arsenic HK Ten Tree) developed it "using materials created pursuant" to their aged Front Mission licensing statement for Borderscape.

Mecharashi was lone ever released successful China and Japan, but does person an English connection Steam page, which describes it arsenic a "mecha-themed tactical turn-based game" that uses "a Front Mission-style combat system, wherever you tin assemble mechas nevertheless you want, equip a wide enactment of weapons, and take your favourite pilots to prosecute successful battle." The trailer surely looks alternatively Front Missionary. Square Enix person sent a clump of DMCA takedowns to get the crippled yanked from storefronts. It's backmost connected Steam arsenic of this penning acknowledgment to a counter-claim.

Square Enix's suit has been filed successful some a US and a Japanese court, and includes side-by-side comparisons of Mecharashi and the unreleased Front Mission 2089: Borderscape - 11 pages of them. Find immoderate examples below.

Image credit: Polygon / Square Enix

The Final Fantasy publishers reason that the crippled can't beryllium released successful its existent authorities due to the fact that it makes usage of "game mechanics, ocular designs, and different protected content" from the abandoned Front Mission collaboration. They privation BlackJack to some region said infringing worldly and cough up $150,000 per infringement.

Being neither alleged infringer nor self-described infringed-upon, I volition reason lone by saying that I deliberation those mech designs are rather nice. Softer-looking and warmer of hue than I retrieve Front Mission being, though that's maine harkening backmost to the PS1 epoch erstwhile the subject of video crippled anti-aliasing was successful its infancy. It reminds maine of Phantom Brigade. Ah, I anticipation we get different tactical mech crippled soon, erstwhile the lawyers person had their fun.