November 27 Will Be a Sad Day For Some Pokemon Fans

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November 27 Will Be a Sad Day For Some Pokemon Fans

As a lifelong Pokemon enthusiast who has journeyed through Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh on my Game Boy and Nintendo DS consoles, it is disheartening to see beloved games like Pokemon Masters EX shutting down in certain regions. I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as I remember the countless hours spent battling and trading with friends, all while exploring new worlds filled with mystery and adventure.

2024 didn’t feature any major Pokemon console games releases, but instead, the mobile game Pokemon TCG Pocket experienced remarkable success. This demonstrates that the future of the franchise could be just as vibrant on mobile devices as it is on traditional handheld consoles. Games like Pokemon GO have paved the way over the years, with other spin-offs such as Pokemon Masters EX, Pokemon Unite, and Pokemon Sleep following suit. However, 2024 wasn’t all positive for Pokemon enthusiasts, as online services for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U ceased in spring, causing some games to lose certain functionalities.

Despite the ongoing success of mobile Pokemon games and no imminent signs of closure, certain games have ceased operation in specific regions. For instance, Pokemon Unite is set to completely shut down in Belgium and The Netherlands by the end of 2025, with in-app purchases ending in October of this year. Regrettably, Pokemon Masters EX will also close its doors on November 27, but only in a different region.

Pokemon Masters EX Shutting Down in One Region on November 27 is Sad News For Fans

Why Pokemon Masters EX is Supposedly Shutting Down in Vietnam

The game ‘Pokemon Masters EX’ will cease operation in Vietnam on November 27, effectively halting all in-app purchases and gaming functions. This move makes it unattainable to access and play the game. Although the reason appears dissimilar to that of ‘Pokemon Unite’ shutting down in two European countries, it adds to a concerning pattern for 2024 marking the end of an era for certain Pokemon games. In 2024, multiple Pokemon games have faced shutdowns or similar problems. The affected games are:

  • Pokemon X and Y lost online and trade functionalities due to the 3DS and Wii U online services being terminated
  • Pokemon Sun and Moon as well as Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon also lost trade functionalities for the same reason
  • Pokemon Bank and Transporter also shut down
  • The Pokemon TV app shut down
  • The long-running Relic Castle unofficial Pokemon website was served a takedown notice
  • Pokemon Unite terminated in-app purchases in Belgium and The Netherlands and will terminate service altogether next year
  • Pokemon Masters Ex is about to shut down in Vietnam

The pattern of these shutdowns might not persist, as each instance has unique causes that may not be relevant elsewhere or to other games. However, it’s disappointing to learn that Pokemon Masters EX will cease operations in Vietnam on November 27, 2024, given the brief warning we have received about this decision.

It’s important to mention that Pokemon Masters EX appears to be closing in Vietnam because of a local law demanding that games have their parent companies establish a local office. Conversely, Pokemon Unite is ceasing operation in Belgium and The Netherlands due to the areas’ regulations concerning loot boxes and in-app purchases.

Why The Future of Pokemon Masters EX in Vietnam is Uncertain

The game notice inside Pokemon Masters EX informs users that all features will remain accessible until the service concludes, and the schedule might be altered. However, it does not specify whether refunds for in-game purchases will be granted automatically or if players can request them. A similar predicament arose when Steam was prohibited in Vietnam, which may have been due to the same reasons as Pokemon Masters EX.

There’s some uncertainty about whether things might shift in the future, either with the transfer of publication rights for Pokemon Masters EX to a Vietnamese company or the opening of a physical location in the region. For now, however, it looks like players will need to bid farewell to the game by November 27, 2024, which is coming up soon – just three days from now.

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2024-11-24 19:43