Why Pokemon Unite Shutting Down in Two Regions May Have a Clear Culprit

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Why Pokemon Unite Shutting Down in Two Regions May Have a Clear Culprit

As a longtime fan of the Pokemon franchise and someone who has spent countless hours grinding for virtual coins to unlock new Pokemon and cosmetics, the news about Pokemon Unite shutting down in certain markets next year is disheartening. While I understand the concerns surrounding loot boxes and in-game spending, it’s unfortunate that such a well-crafted game is being penalized due to these mechanisms.

In simple terms, the game called Pokémon Unite, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) where you fight using various Pokémon characters, is being removed from certain countries by next year. Starting in October 2025, players in these specific regions will no longer be able to make in-game purchases, which means the game’s profitability will gradually decrease before it is officially withdrawn from sale in late 2025.

While it may not enjoy the same level of fame as the traditional Pokémon games, Pokémon Unite has generated quite a bit of excitement, particularly within the mobile gaming community. As a free-to-play game, Unite needs to thrive on the strength of its engaging core mechanics, encouraging players to invest in in-game items with real money. In Pokémon Unite, players can spend their hard-earned cash on various in-game currencies.

  • Aeos Gems
  • Aeos Coins
  • Aeos Tickets

Different types of in-game currencies, like Coins, Tickets, and Gems, serve as keys to obtain diverse Pokemon, cosmetics, and Held Items that enhance battle performance for playable characters by providing bonuses such as increased attack power. These currencies facilitate microtransactions since although players can gather Coins and Tickets via standard (yet somewhat demanding) gameplay, Gems can only be obtained through the in-game shop, a paid battle pass, or monthly subscriptions. The game “Unite” also includes a Prize Machine which operates similarly to loot box systems.

In-Game Purchases Are Likely Why Pokémon Unite Is Shutting Down In Belgium and The Netherlands

Belgium and The Netherlands Have Been Cracking Down On In-Game Spending

Belgium and The Netherlands are at the forefront of challenging loot boxes in video games. Despite some games, like Electronic Arts’ notoriously microtransaction-heavy sports titles, having avoided such restrictions in the past, these countries persistently work towards limiting predatory in-game purchasing systems, viewing them as a violation of gambling regulations.

As a gamer, I find myself unable to play mobile games such as Diablo Immortal in specific regions because of legal restrictions. Publishers prefer to steer clear of the intricacies of launching these games without their main monetization strategies included. Games like Overwatch have been released in certain markets without loot boxes to comply with local regulations. However, some games manage to dodge the radar – it’s not feasible to keep tabs on every single title with in-game spending. High-profile releases, such as Pokémon Unite, are likely to be under close scrutiny from regulatory bodies.

The Pokémon Company Has Yet to Explain Pokémon Unite’s Removal from Belgian and Dutch Markets

In simpler terms, the Pokémon Company has not explicitly stated that the shutdown of Pokémon Unite in certain regions is due to loot boxes or microtransactions, but it appears to be a likely reason. However, unlike Overwatch, which transitioned to a free model and removed in-game purchases, Pokémon Unite is already a free-to-play game. Removing or significantly reducing in-game spending in these regions could lead to a loss of profitability in the markets involved, something that the Pokémon Company would likely want to avoid as it relies on these revenues.

From an optics standpoint, it makes sense for TPC to be vague about the reasons why Unite is being shut down. Microstransactions and loot boxes are generally looked upon with disdain, both within and outside the gaming community, so it’s unlikely that the company will directly, publicly cite them as the official reason behind Unite‘s removal in these countries any time soon. It’s worth noting that Belgium and The Netherlands aren’t the only countries regulating these sorts of games, as Australia has also been cracking down on loot boxes and in-game spending for years now. As more countries follow suit, it will be interesting to see how gaming companies, specifically those engrossed in the free-to-play and mobile markets, respond.

Pokémon Unite
will be playable in Belgium and The Netherlands until November 30, 2025.

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2024-10-02 20:34