“In early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software,” Nintendo said on its Support website.
“This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution.”
“if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software, we may have to discontinue services earlier than planned.”
As for Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank will still retain its online functionality (presumably since it’s still used by players and uses online connectivity as its central mechanic).
Edit: Official Announcement with Q&A: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63227/~/announcement-of-discontinuation-of-online-services-for-nintendo-3ds-and-wii-u
This is just another reminder that we should support proper releases, instead of endless live service games. Preserving titles will become increasingly more difficult in the future
Unfortunately it’s a losing battles. One midly successful live service games earns the companies way more than multiple success non-live service games.
it would be nice if they did things like allow community servers but then that would eat into the potential* customers for their next release
This i find so infuriating. If there is no legal way available to enjoy an IP because the right holder is discontinueing service, it should automatically become public domain, be it books, movies or games.
Iirc. the US even has a law, that land not used by the owner for a long time can be legally used by anyone. Why do we not do the same for IP, where noone is actually losing something?