Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp to Close, Replaced by Paid Version with Reduced Features

Nintendo has announced the closure of its popular mobile game, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, this coming November. The news has come as a blow to many fans who have poured time and money into the game since its 2017 launch. However, the company is also developing a new, paid version of the app, with microtransactions removed, which will be released at the same time.

From 29 November 2024, players will no longer be able to access Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. "After service ends, you will no longer be able to play Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp," Nintendo stated in an official announcement. While this marks the end of an era for dedicated Pocket Camp players, the company has promised a replacement app that allows players to transfer their save data.

The new paid app will not be a complete replica of the original, however. "Some features" will be missing, the company has confirmed. This includes features that rely on a continuous internet connection, such as Market Boxes, gift sending, and visiting other players' campsites. Players will also be unable to transfer their Leaf Tickets to the new app, so they are advised to redeem any remaining tickets before Pocket Camp shuts down. Subscription service refunds will not be offered.

This is not the first time Nintendo has shuttered a mobile game. Other titles that have met a similar fate include Miitomo, Dr. Mario World, Dragalia Lost, and Mario Kart Tour. The decision to remove microtransactions from the new Pocket Camp app, however, is a welcome change in a landscape dominated by free-to-play gacha games.

While the closure of Pocket Camp will undoubtedly be a disappointment for many, the new app offers a chance for a fresh start. The removal of microtransactions may attract new players, and the ability to transfer save data will allow existing players to retain their progress. The reduced features, however, will be a cause for concern for some players who have come to rely on the social aspects of the original game.

As the game prepares for its sunset, players may want to consider exploring other titles similar to Animal Crossing, including the upcoming gacha game Floatopia. Whether or not the new paid app will be successful remains to be seen, but it will undoubtedly be closely watched by the Animal Crossing community.