Evan Brooks
Nintendo's beloved mobile title, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, is set to bid farewell, but its spirit will live on in a new, revamped form.
As announced on the official website, the iOS and Android versions of Animal Crossing will cease operations on November 28, 2023. Although the game will remain functional until the cutoff date, with seasonal events and activities continuing as usual, its online presence will eventually come to an end, much like many other online service-based games, including Nintendo's own Dragalia Lost in 2022.
However, this isn't the final curtain call for Pocket Camp. A standalone, offline iteration of the game will be available for purchase with a one-time fee, granting access to the game's "core features," according to a somewhat ambiguous FAQ page on the website. Fortunately, players will be able to transfer their saved progress to this new version, ensuring a seamless transition.
There are, however, certain trade-offs to this arrangement – both positive and negative. Regrettably, the offline nature of the new app means that network features, such as visiting friends' camps, will no longer be accessible. On the bright side, the game will no longer feature microtransactions or subscriptions; instead, players will make a single, upfront purchase, freeing them from recurring costs.
In light of the abrupt shutdowns of numerous online games (such as Dragalia Lost), Nintendo's approach to Animal Crossing's end-of-life process marks a significant departure. Perhaps other companies will take a cue from this strategy in the future, prioritizing player satisfaction over profit.
