Nintendo has announced plans to shut down Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, seven years after the mobile game launched. The game goes dark on November 29, 2024, a week after its seventh birthday. Since service began on November 21, 2017, for approximately seven years we have been honored to see everyone's lovely, diverse campsites grow and flourish,” Nintendo said in a statement.

After the online service ends, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will no longer be playable, Nintendo warned. There is a silver lining, however. Nintendo said it’s developing a paid version of the app to which players will be able to transfer their save data. This offline version will be released during the same period as the end of service for Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Nintendo said.

The paid version will have the same basic gameplay and controls as Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. However, this app will allow the player to use the included features with a one-time purchase, Nintendo said. There will be no in-app purchases or subscription services (like Pocket Camp Club).

It’s worth noting that since this app will not require a continuous online connection, some features that require that connection, e.g. Market Boxes, gifts, and visiting other players' campsites will not be available. Similarly, Leaf Tickets will not be usable, and you will not be able to transfer them to the new app. Expect pricing and a release date in October.

Why is Nintendo Shutting Down Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp?

Nintendo has had mixed results from its mobile game efforts, which include Super Mario Run, Mario Kart Tour, and Pikmin Bloom. In 2020, Nintendo was reported to be retreating from the mobile gaming market. That apparent decision came amid the explosive, pandemic-fueled popularity of Switch exclusive Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, there are a number of successful Pokémon mobile games, such as Pokémon Go, with more in the works.

What Will the Paid Version Be Like?

While Nintendo is closing down the live-service version of the game, it has announced that a new offline app will be released. Nintendo claims that players will be able to transfer data from the current version of the app onto the new one, but exactly what will be transferred has yet to be clarified.

A Farewell to Pocket Camp

While the paid offline version offers hope to players who’ve enjoyed Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, it’s still a significant loss for the mobile gaming community. It’s a sign of the times, as many live-service games eventually reach the end of their road. However, it’s worth noting that Nintendo is still investing in mobile gaming, with ongoing support for Fire Emblem Heroes and plans for new Pokémon mobile games. It’s clear that Nintendo is shifting its focus to other areas of the gaming market, including the upcoming Switch successor. We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Animal Crossing on mobile. But for now, it’s time to say goodbye to Pocket Camp.