Why? So I have to give it GPS access to play it but apparently the GPS usage is optional? Why can’t I opt-in or out when I want to use it? What if I plan to play this game exclusively from my couch? More companies out to make useless features to barely disguise selling your data.
It’s probably like Pokemon Go
It says in the article why
The new game is a GPS based Action RPG with a new story that builds on the Kingdom Hearts storyline… While the new game isn’t an AR title, it does use a player’s real-life location to figure out their location in the game’s map.
Thats not why. Because it also says you can play without ever leaving your home. So obviously there is a way to traverse the map without the GPS. If it is optional, you should have the option to opt-in or out.
Given that this is kingdom hearts and multiple worlds exist in that franchise and its possible to travel between them it’s possible to have 'travel the world without leaving your home" and still make it so that the full game is only playable with GPS location. All they’d have to do is tie physical locations to worlds in game but then make those worlds navigable without requiring the user to move.
None of this is reason to require GPS tracking when the devs state using the GPS is optional.