After seven years of cosy fun and wholesome socialising, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is nearing the end of the road. The app will end service on 28 November (or 29 November, depending on region), with Nintendo currently working on a new paid version that allows players to carry over their save data.
The latter is designed to replace the current game, launching during the same period as the termination. Ahead of the service-end date, players will no longer be able to purchase microtransactions, and monthly subscription services are set to cease.
It should be noted that while save data transfer is possible with the new paid app, Leaf Tickets won’t be carried over. The basic gameplay and controls of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp remain unchanged, but in-app purchases, subscriptions, and the requirement for constant internet connection will no longer be available. More details about the transition period can be found on the Q&A page, including a data transfer guide for both Android and iOS devices.
Unlike other industry giants like Activision and Take-Two, mobile games only made up a small fraction of Nintendo’s earnings. This latest termination reinforces the company’s reduced focus on the market, leaving only three apps in operation: Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, and Pikmin Bloom.
According to Appmagic data (via Mobilegamer.biz), Fire Emblem Heroes is Nintendo’s most successful mobile outing to date, with over a US$810 million haul as of last year that accounts for more than half of its US$1.5 billion total.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
