Square Enix Announces Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy, a New 3v3 Mobile Gacha Game Coming in 2026

Square Enix has officially announced Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy, a new mobile installment in the long-running Final Fantasy spin-off series. The game was revealed with a short teaser trailer showing a collection of mysterious silhouettes and a glimpse of its modern Tokyo setting.

According to the announcement, Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy will be a three-versus-three gacha RPG featuring familiar Final Fantasy characters competing in timed boss battles. Two teams face off simultaneously, racing to defeat the same boss faster than their opponent by strategically deploying their party’s abilities and managing cooldowns.

The game is currently slated for a full release in 2026, with a closed beta planned for November 2025 on Android devices. Square Enix has not yet confirmed whether the beta will expand to iOS or other regions, but early sign-ups are expected to begin soon.

Creative producer and Final Fantasy veteran Tetsuya Nomura addressed fans directly following the reveal.

“Duellum is the sixth installment in the series, and as you can see from the world setting and visuals, it is another aspirational title packed with many new undertakings and ways for the staff to challenge themselves,” he said. — Tetsuya Nomura

Nomura’s message emphasizes the studio’s attempt to reimagine the Dissidia formula once again. The Dissidia series began on PSP in 2008 as an arena fighter combining heroes and villains from across Final Fantasy. It later expanded with Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, each experimenting with different battle systems and online features.

Unlike those console and arcade releases, Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy leans fully into mobile play and modern gacha elements. Players will reportedly summon iconic characters, customize loadouts, and compete in real-time matches that combine cooperative boss fights with PvP scoring.

The announcement comes during a transitional period for Square Enix’s mobile division. Over the past several years, the publisher has shut down multiple live-service and gacha titles, including Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia, which ended service in February 2024. Other closures have included Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier, Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights, and Echoes of Mana, among others.

In a detailed editorial, journalist Joel Loynds noted that Square Enix has closed at least twelve mobile games since entering the gacha market. The concern among players is not about Dissidia Duellum’s gameplay potential, but about the company’s commitment to long-term support.

Loynds wrote that Dissidia Duellum “is set for a 2026 release and a closed Android beta test in November. It’s a three-versus-three game, where you’ll need to use a part of Final Fantasy characters to take down a boss faster than the other player.” He questioned whether fans should get invested after the publisher’s repeated shutdowns.

“Square Enix has potentially been one of the biggest killers in the gacha market. If we just look at the major games, they’ve shut down 12 games since embracing the mobile market. These include the previous Dissidia game, Opera Omnia, and four other Final Fantasy games. So why on earth would I potentially dump cash into a new Square Enix gacha game?” — Joel Loynds

The question reflects a growing skepticism within the gacha community about live-service sustainability. With titles like Destiny: Rising and Battlefield 6 drawing strong engagement through structured support, mobile RPG players have become increasingly cautious about time and monetary investment.

According to the article, Dissidia Duellum may still hold some appeal for fans curious about its battle mechanics. The idea of merging traditional Final Fantasy combat with competitive timing and score-based progression offers a different spin from typical collection-based RPGs. However, the author pointed out that it’s not a “true” sequel to earlier Dissidia entries.

“I don’t care that Dissidia Duellum isn’t a true sequel to 012 or NT, because frankly, outside of the novelty on PSP, Dissidia was just never really that good. Taking the concept of a Final Fantasy crossover is a good one, and I’m intrigued to see how the 3 v 3 boss battles actually play out in terms of fairness.” — Joel Loynds

The developer has not yet detailed how the competitive structure will handle balance or matchmaking. It remains unclear whether Duellum will adopt an energy system, character rarity scaling, or other gacha monetization methods common in Square Enix’s mobile catalog.

Loynds also referenced the publisher’s upcoming Dragon Quest mobile project, Smash/Grow, describing it as another example of Square Enix’s experimentation with short-lived live-service titles. “Despite reports out of the recent beta claiming it’s pretty good, why on earth would I want to spend any amount of time in a game from a company that can’t seem to decide what to do with its mobile division except throw everything at the wall, hoping it sticks?” he wrote.

The reaction surrounding Dissidia Duellum highlights the broader tension between player enthusiasm for Final Fantasy crossovers and uncertainty over game lifespan. Even with Nomura’s involvement and a visually distinct setting that moves the franchise into modern-day Tokyo, long-term trust in Square Enix’s mobile ecosystem remains strained.

Square Enix has yet to reveal specific character rosters or gameplay footage beyond the teaser, though silhouettes in the trailer appeared to include several recognizable figures from mainline Final Fantasy entries. More details are expected before the closed beta launch in November.

While the publisher continues to expand its mobile offerings, it also has several high-profile console and PC projects in development. Alongside Dissidia Duellum, the company is working on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth updates and Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, indicating a parallel focus between large-scale releases and mobile experimentation.

For now, Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy stands as the sixth official entry in the crossover franchise and the latest attempt to adapt its hero-versus-villain formula for a new platform. With its scheduled 2026 release and early Android beta, the game marks Square Enix’s continued commitment to exploring multiplayer RPG formats, even as its previous efforts in the same space remain a cautionary backdrop.