Square Enix Sues Developer Over Alleged Asset Theft

Square Enix has filed a lawsuit against mobile developer BlackJack Studio, claiming the company is illegally using assets from a cancelled Front Mission mobile game in its new title, Metal Storm. The lawsuit, filed on March 13 in Seattle, aims to block Metal Storm from releasing in Western markets.

Metal Storm, known as Mecharashi in China and Japan, is described on its official Steam listing as a “mecha-themed tactical turn-based game” featuring customizable mechs. Notably, the Steam description explicitly mentions having a “Front Mission-style combat system,” which may have further fueled Square Enix’s legal concerns.

According to the 26-page legal document, Square Enix alleges that BlackJack Studio, operating under parent company HK Ten Tree Limited, has “deliberately and intentionally copied protectable expression” from their previously licensed game. The alleged infringement includes mecha designs, characters, game mechanics, and other creative elements.

The two companies had previously collaborated on Front Mission 2089: Borderscape, which was announced in April 2022. However, Square Enix cancelled the game and terminated their agreement with BlackJack just months later in October 2022.

Square Enix is seeking maximum statutory damages of $150,000 for each copyright infringed. The publisher has also filed a separate complaint in Tokyo District Court on March 5 regarding the infringement of its intellectual property rights related to Front Mission 2089: Borderscape under Japanese law. The lawsuit includes screenshots and examples documenting the alleged copyright violations between the cancelled Front Mission mobile game and Metal Storm.

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