Pokémon Unite will end its service on March 23, 2027, bringing the franchise’s first strategic team-based battle game to a close after more than five years. The announcement covers both the Nintendo Switch and mobile versions of the game.
Pokémon Unite (Credits: Pokémon/Nintendo/Creatures/GAME FREAK)
The game’s staff confirmed the news on Tuesday, and the wind-down has already begun: sales of the in-game Aeos gem currency, new UNITE Club membership purchases, and automatic membership renewals have all been suspended.
Pokémon Unite End of Service: What Happens Before March 23, 2027
Players will not be left without a farewell. The Pokémon Unite Aeos Crown 2027 Tokyo tournament will still be held as previously announced, with qualifier tournaments starting on December 5. Special events and updates leading up to the end of service will begin on November 12.
That update will include a “library” feature, which will allow players to view certain records and in-game content. Players must complete the required library data download before the game ends service to be able to use the feature — so anyone wanting to preserve their history should not leave it to the last minute.
A 5-on-5 Pioneer for the Pokémon Franchise
Pokémon Unite launched for Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2021, then arrived on iOS and Android on September 22, 2021. Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group produced the game in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, and it became the franchise’s first strategic team-based battle game.
The format allowed 10 players to take part in 5-on-5 real-time battles with cross-platform play. Each team had five goals to catch Pokémon and score points, captured Pokémon could defeat others to level up and learn attacks, and each Pokémon had its own special Unite move unlocked at a certain level. The team with the most points when time expired won.
The game marked its fifth anniversary this year with an original live-action short project announced in June. Now, with a final tournament and a library feature to preserve memories, Pokémon Unite is heading for one last season before its March 2027 goodbye.
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Source: Anime News Network — read the full story there.
