Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete Is Launching on December 3 with Microtransactions Removed

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the mobile companion to Nintendo’s beloved franchise, will shut down on November 28, 2024. However, fans won’t have to wait long for its replacement: Nintendo has announced the launch of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, a paid, offline experience set to release on December 3, 2024, for both iOS and Android devices.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, a new paid offline version of Pocket Camp, launches on December 3rd for $9.99! This new version includes all previous items and events from the past 7 years without any in-game purchases or microtransactions, plus 1 year of new events. pic.twitter.com/xn2coCpvi5

— Animal Crossing World 🐦☕ (@ACWorldBlog) October 28, 2024

Unlike its free-to-play predecessor, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete will be available at a flat fee, with no additional in-game purchases. The game will cost $9.99 if purchased before January 31, 2025, after which it will increase to $19.99. This pricing decision has sparked controversy among longtime players, especially when they must pay the same amount as new users, regardless of prior in-game investments or subscriptions.

Here’s a look at what to expect from this refreshed title, including new gameplay features, pricing, and the data transfer process for current Pocket Camp players.

Also Read: 10 Cosy Games Like Animal Crossing That You Might Enjoy

Everything You Need to Know About Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete

New Features and Old Inclusions

According to Nintendo, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete promises a familiar gameplay experience while introducing fresh elements to keep things interesting. Players can expect over 10,000 items from the original game, plus some seasonal events, which will rotate throughout the year. Here’s a closer look at what’s new:

• Offline Gameplay: The new title will be entirely offline, allowing players to enjoy their campsite wherever they are without needing a data connection.
• Camper Cards: A new feature, Camper Cards grants players customisable profiles, which they can share with others using QR codes. Once scanned, a friend’s character may show up at a new area, Whistle Pass.
• Whistle Pass: This newly introduced area is a social hub where friends can gather for live guitar performances, adding a communal element missing from the original Pocket Camp.
• Complete Tickets: Participating players can earn Complete Tickets, which they can exchange for exclusive items like fortune cookies to keep the game fresh without microtransactions.

Transferring Save Data

For players eager to carry over their progress from Pocket Camp to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete, Nintendo has made the transition relatively straightforward. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Link Your Nintendo Account: Players must link their Pocket Camp data with a Nintendo Account by November 29 to ensure their campsite remains.
2. What Will Transfer: Players’ Bells, friendship levels, furniture, crafting items, outfits, and campsite layouts will all transfer to the new game, preserving much of the progress they’ve made since 2017.
3. What Won’t Transfer: Leaf Tickets will not be included in the transfer. New Leaf Tokens in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete will replace them, but Nintendo hasn’t shared further details about these tokens’ usage or exchange rates.

Community Reactions to Limited Updates and Future Content

As far as we know, Nintendo has committed to supporting Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete until at least September 2025. It includes new events, items, and the return of past seasonal events from the original game’s seven-year run. However, after October 2025, updates may slow down or cease altogether. This timeframe aligns with speculation about a new mainline Animal Crossing title, possibly for Nintendo’s next console.

To no one’s surprise, switching to a paid model and removing online features like the Market Box and in-game gift sharing have generated mixed responses from the Pocket Camp community. While some players are pleased with the offline format and streamlined gameplay, others lament the absence of options for those who invested heavily in subscriptions or in-game purchases.

However, Nintendo’s move to transform Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete into a paid offline title is part of a broader re-evaluation of its mobile strategy. Many of Nintendo’s other mobile titles, including Dragalia Lost and Dr. Mario World, have been retired due to changes in mobile gaming economics. It’s worth noting that Nintendo’s other popular mobile title, Mario Kart Tour, will also stop receiving updates at the end of 2023, reinforcing a trend towards sunsetting mobile games that rely heavily on in-game purchases.

Closing Thoughts

Nevertheless, Animal Crossing remains one of Nintendo’s most successful franchises. For example, New Horizons is still one of the best-selling titles on the Nintendo Switch, selling over 45 million copies globally. With the next-generation Nintendo console rumoured to be on the horizon, speculation is growing that a new Animal Crossing title could be in development.

For now, Nintendo’s new approach resonates with the community remains aloof, but one thing is clear — Animal Crossing remains as beloved as ever.

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