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Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Shuts Down in November

Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Banner
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Image Credit: Eurogamer

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a mobile title that managed to grab many fans. However, many of those fans will have to move on from the game come November.

Nintendo announced that online services for the game will be shutting down. A notice was posted alongside an FAQ for fans wondering about what comes next. While Nintendo says more info will come in October 2024, we have a fair amount of information currently as well.

Read more: Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Shuts Down in November

Pack Up Your Camp

Online service for Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will end officially on November 29th, 2024 at 12:00 AM JST, or 11:00 AM EST. Nintendo didn’t state an exact reason for the game’s shutdown. However, they do thank their players in the notice. “Since service began on November 21st, 2017, for approximately seven years we have been honored to see everyone’s lovely, diverse campsites grow and flourish.”

Nintendo goes on to write, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many users who loved Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp.” After the service ends, the game will no longer be playable. This seems to mark the end of the game’s 7 year-long lifespan.

What was Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp? The free-to-play mobile title was a spin-off in the Animal Crossing series with many of the same elements as previous games. However, the game involves building a campsite instead of a town, unlike other games in the series. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp was directed by Kazuyoshi Sensui, a planner for Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Pocket Camp was Sensui’s first time as a Director.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp also featured microtransactions. The game’s currency, Leaf Tickets, allowed for the purchase of items. They could also be used to reduce in-game timers. With the shutdown of the game imminent, sales of Leaf Tickets will end on November 26th, 2024 at 10:00 AM JST or 9:00 PM EST. However, Leaf Tickets will still be redeemable until the service ends three days after this date.

This sounds like very saddening news. However, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp fans should remain hopeful, for things aren’t as finite as they seem.

Not All Doom and Gloom?

Animal Crossing Pocket Camp promo

Nintendo states in their announcement that they are currently developing a paid version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Players will be able to transfer their save data to this new version. The paid version is planned to be released around the time the free version shuts down.

The paid version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will charge a flat, one-time fee to purchase. The basic gameplay and controls will be the same. No in-app purchases or subscription services will be included in this version. Some online features such as Market Boxes, gifts, or visiting other players will not be available due to the online services not being present. Leaf Tickets will not be transferable either.

This is some solace in this news for fans of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. It will allow players to retain the campsites they have made. While it is unfortunate that some features will not be accessible, it is good to see Nintendo keeping the game alive in a sense. Players only need to link their Nintendo Account to ensure their data is transferable.

It is a very notable win for gaming preservation. Nintendo is known for sunsetting some of their previous titles permanently, such as Pokémon Duel and Super Mario Bros. 35.

More information such as the price of the paid version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will be announced in October. Nintendo will also likely announce the exact release date of this paid version in October as well.

What do you think of the shutdown of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp? Do you find it bittersweet to see a paid version of the game coming? Are you glad Nintendo is preserving the game? For the latest on Animal Crossing, Nintendo, and mobile titles, stay tuned with us here at the Lords of Gaming.

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