The announcement was posted on Nintendo's website and communicated via social media, in which the firm stated it "would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported the title since service began".
New items and events will continue to be available until the designated date, but those disappointed that the app will soon end its online service can breathe a small sigh of relief. Nintendo has also announced that a new, paid replacement will be made available that will allow users to transfer their current save data, albeit without any online capabilities.
In an FAQ, Nintendo states that the paid app will retain the same gameplay and controls as the free-to-play version, but players will simply be able to access everything with a one-time purchase. No microtransactions will be included, but Nintendo clarifies that some features, such as "Market Boxes, gifts, and visiting other players' campsites", will not be available.
Players will need to link their Nintendo Account to their current save data if they haven't already done so in order to transfer saves to the new version. This step is relevant for both Android and iOS users.
Bringing online services to a close marks the "end" of one of Nintendo's longest-running mobile apps, having initially launched back in 2017. Providing a paid replacement is admittedly a great move from the company, as it means fans can at least retain their progress and continue playing for the foreseeable future. Good on you, Nintendo.
