Nintendo has announced the notice regarding the end of service, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. After seven years of operation, the game will be shutting down on November 28, 2024, marking the end of an era for buying-furnitures-only-with-real-money. This closure represents another significant move by Nintendo as it continues to reevaluate its mobile game portfolio. The company has confirmed it is shifting focus to a “paid version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp,” which is set to release “in the future.”
Finally, after 7 years, they choose to go down the right path.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Shuts Down After 7 Years Selling Furnitures to Players
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, launched in 2017, quickly became one of the heavy microtransactions of Nintendo’s game on mobile, offering a portable and engaging version of the beloved Animal Crossing franchise.
The game’s ability to allow players to manage their own virtual campsite, interact with charming animal characters, decorate their surroundings, and, of course, tease you with many exclusive furniture and accessories that can only be purchased with real money. However, all of these microtransactions must come to an end. Nintendo’s decision to close down Pocket Camp is driven by its strategic shift toward developing a premium version of the game.
The current iteration of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will officially close its doors at 3:00 PM UK time on November 28, 2024. This announcement has sparked a wave of nostalgia and reflection among players who have spent countless dollars hours building and customizing their campsites.
What is a “Paid-Version” of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp?
Nintendo’s announcement of a “paid version” of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp has generated significant interest. While details about the new game remain scarce, Nintendo has promised to share more information in October 2024. The transition to a premium model suggests that the upcoming game will offer an experience without microtransactions.
One of the key changes in the new version is the absence of in-app purchases, which have been a cornerstone of the free-to-play model. This shift indicates that Nintendo may be moving toward a more traditional gaming experience, where players pay upfront for a complete product. Additionally, the new game will not require a constant internet connection, providing players with more flexibility in how and where they play.
Here’s the summary of the new paid version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp that will be released later in the future:
- The gameplay and controls will be identical to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, save for the sava-data transfer. On the other hand, a single purchase of this software will grant the user access to all of its features. No subscription services or in-app purchases (like Pocket Camp Club) will be available.
- Several functions that need an ongoing internet connection—like Market Boxes, gifts, and visiting other players’ campsites—won’t work with this app since it won’t require one.
- It should be noted that Leaf Tickets (in-game currency that can be used to buy furnitures etc and to speed-up the game’s progress) will not be functional and cannot be transferred to the new paid version.
- The subscription service for Pocket Camp Club will terminate along with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp’s end of service. Enrolment in a new Pocket Camp Club membership will not be available after the planned maintenance that is set to commence on October 28th, 2024, ends.
- Every plan’s automatic renewal will end on October 28, 2024, coinciding with the maintenance. In the event that you decide to terminate your membership on your own, you will not receive a refund if it expires after the previously specified maintenance period. When maintenance starts on October 28, 2024, if you are a subscriber to any of these programs, you will get a badge in your in-game mailbox for each plan you were a part of.
- You must link your Nintendo Account in order to move your data to the app’s premium version. You don’t need to take any more steps to get ready if you have already connected your Nintendo Account to the save data you wish to move.
It’s Not The First Time Nintendo Shut Down their Mobile Game
The closure of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp marks the fifth mobile game Nintendo has shut down in recent years. This trend began with the closure of Miitomo in 2018, just two years after its launch. Since then, Nintendo has also ended support for Dr. Mario World in 2021, Dragalia Lost in 2022, and Mario Kart Tour in 2023.
Each of these closures reflects Nintendo’s evolving strategy in the mobile gaming market. While the company initially saw mobile games as a way to expand its reach, it appears that Nintendo is now refocusing its efforts on delivering premium gaming experiences. The shift toward paid versions of games like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp could signal a new chapter in Nintendo’s approach to mobile gaming.