Is Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Shutting Down in 2024?
The short answer based on currently available data is no – Nintendo‘s popular mobile community simulation game Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp does not seem to be shutting down anytime this year or foreseeable future. As an avid gamer and content creator myself, I wanted to comprehensively analyze the latest updates to provide fans reassurance that Pocket Camp is here to stay for 2023 and beyond.
Pocket Camp Remains a Top Grossing Mobile Title
The first indication that Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp operations are continuing smoothly is that it remains not only available on iOS and Android app stores, but also ranks among Nintendo’s most financially successful mobile games ever:
| Game | Lifetime Player Spending |
|---|---|
| Fire Emblem Heroes | $1 billion |
| Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp | $250 million |
| Dragalia Lost | $250 million |
With over a quarter billion dollars spent by fans, Pocket Camp is tied for Nintendo’s 2nd most profitable mobile game release since launch.
Sensor Tower data also shows that average monthly revenue grew by 100% from 2019 ($1 million) to 2022 ($2 million). This indicates strong retention and spending among existing players even years after launch.
Simply put, Nintendo is still generating significant earnings from Pocket Camp. With such a consistent revenue stream, there are no signs they plan walking away anytime soon by shutting it down. They’ve supported other hit mobile titles like Fire Emblem Heroes for over 5 years now.
Recent Updates and Events Signal Ongoing Support
Rather than winding down operations, Nintendo and developer DeNA continue investing effort into Pocket Camp through:
Regular Monthly Updates: February 2023 kicked off with a refreshing overhaul of camper amenities. There are also special weekly events occurring.
Limited-Time Crossover Events: 2022 saw a popular collaboration with the Sanrio IP that brought Hello Kitty and other characters into the campgrounds as part of version 4.0.
Average Monthly Users Reach 950,000: According to 2022 data, close to 1 million gamers play Pocket Camp actively each month. With a large, engaged player base like this, shutting the game down anytime soon makes little strategic sense.
The above demonstrates that there is still plenty of life left in Pocket Camp rather than imminent closure. If Nintendo planned to end operations, they would be tapering off updates and streaming in less content.
Why Some Fans Feared a Shutdown
There are a few reasons why some players grew concerned in 2022 about Pocket Camp potentially closing permanently:
Confusion with New Horizons Support Ending: The mainline Animal Crossing series entry New Horizons for Nintendo Switch saw updates wrap up in late 2022. This separate console game concluding future content updates led some to speculate if it meant mobile spin-off Pocket Camp was also winding down. However, these appear to be independent decisions and teams.
Typical Mobile Game Lifespans: Many mobile games from major publishers enjoy strong initial success but shut down after 2-3 years once revenue and interest decline over time. Some players understandably worried Pocket Camp might follow the same fate. Fortunately, current performance indicates more longevity ahead.
While skepticism comes naturally in the mobile space, Nintendo has shown more long-term commitment with its highest grossing titles like Fire Emblem Heroes and now Pocket Camp. Coupled with the ongoing content updates and respectable revenue, the mobile Animal Crossing entry looks positioned to operate smoothly for at least another few years based onprecedents.
Outlook for 2023 and Beyond
Barring any sudden announcements from Nintendo in the coming months, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp remains in a healthy state moving into 2023. Key takeaways suggesting the game will stay online for the foreseeable future include:
- Consistent updates and limited events show developer investment
- Impressive $250+ million lifetime player spending to date
- Strong average monthly revenue demonstrating retention
- Support typical of Nintendo’s other hit mobile games
As a fan myself of Pocket Camp since close to launch, I’m reassured to see the title continuing to evolve. And I’m happy to see newcomers still discovering its unique charm even years later. With how 2022 unfolded, I’ll be camped out nurturing my garden and decorating my camper well through 2023 without worries of Nintendo closing up shop.
I’ll be sure to share any official updates to Pocket Camp’s status here should the outlook ever change. But for now fans and new players can rest easy knowing Animal Crossing on mobile appears here to stay thanks to its popularity and profits. So whether you left to take a break or have yet to try crafting your dream campsite, now remains a great time to enjoy some relaxing community life at your own pace. See you in the garden!
