Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp to shut down this November, paid version of the app on the way
Update: check out this post for all the details about Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, the paid version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp!
***
Launched back in November 2017, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is (with Fire Emblem Heroes) one of the company’s longest-running games on smart devices. But today, Nintendo announced that it would shut down later this year, in November to be precise (exactly 7 years after launch).
On November 29th 2024 at 12AM JST (effectively November 28th at 7AM PT / 10PM ET / 3PM GMT / 4PM CET), service for Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will end, and players will no longer be able to launch the game (let alone play it).
However, this shutdown is not the end of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Nintendo is currently developing a paid version of the game that will allow you to transfer your save data and keep playing. It should launch by the time the current version of the game is discontinued, with more details to be shared sometime in October 2024.
Very little is known about this paid app, though Nintendo mentions it will offer the same basic gameplay and controls, that it will not require a constant internet connection, that it will be a paid app without in-app purchases, and that only save data can be transferred (not Leaf Tickets). Because of the lack of internet connection, certain features of the current version of the game (such as Market Boxes, gifts, and visiting other players’ campsites) will be unavailable.
Before the current version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is shut down, Nintendo will keep running events and add new items. The sale of Leaf Tickets will end on November 26th at 10PM / November 27th at 1AM ET / 6AM GMT / 7AM CET / 3PM JST, just a couple of days before service itself is shut down. You will be able to redeem them until the game is discontinued on November 28th/29th.
In Japan specifically, Nintendo will offer refunds for any Leaf Tickets left unused by the time Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is shut down. Details on the refund procedure will be shared at a later date, but Nintendo warns that it will happen via the app itself, so it’s highly recommended you do not uninstall it right away if you still have Leaf Tickets by the time it’s shut down.
Unfortunately, refunds will seemingly be offered only in Japan (due to a local law), so users in other countries/regions are encouraged to use all their remaining Leaf Tickets by November 28th/29th. Also, do note that refunds are only for PAID Leaf Tickets: those obtained via Log-in Bonus events and other free distributions are not eligible.
Here’s how you can check how many paid Leaf Tickets you have left:
- launch the game
- tap Menu (the icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, just above the planner’s)
- tap Misc
- tap ‘Leaf Ticket Balance’
By the way, Leaf Tickets are used in the order they are acquired, so paid Leaf Tickets may be used before free ones (or vice-versa).
Also, the Pocket Camp Club memberships renewals will end a month before the game itself is shut down. Players will no longer be able to subscribe to any plan following the maintenance scheduled for October 27th 5PM PT / 8PM ET – October 28th at 1AM GMT / 2AM CET / 10AM JST (and naturally, automatic renewals will stop too). However, players who still have a running subscription by the time the maintenance starts will be able to enjoy all the benefits until the game itself is shut down (does not apply to free trials).
More details about Pocket Camp Club subscriptions can be found on this page.
Nintendo opened a FAQ page on the game’s official website for more details about this shutdown: click here to check it out (including articles on how to transfer your save data)!
Source: Nintendo
