Pokémon Unitea MOBA arena battle game featuring the titular pocket monsters, will be available in select markets next year. Before it is phased out at the end of 2025, Pokemon Unite will no longer support gaming spending after October 2025 in these specific regions, which will ultimately reduce their profits.
Although certainly not as popular as the mainline Pokémon game, Pokémon Unite received controversy, especially in the mobile market. As a free title, We are united it must succeed on the back of a satisfying core gameplay, which encourages players to spend money on in-game purchases. In Pokémon Uniteplayers can spend money in the following amounts:
- Aeos Gems
- Aeos coins
- Aeos Tickets
These various coins can be used to unlock different Pokémon, cosmetics, and hold items, which can be used to power up playable Pokémon in battle, such as static boosts to attack power. It is through these currencies that microtransactions come into play, because while players can earn coins and tickets through normal (albeit heavy) gameplay, they must be purchased through Gems can be purchased through in-game sales, earned through battle, or collected by monthly memberships. We are united has something called the Prize Machine, which is similar to a loot system.
In-game purchases are likely as Pokémon Unite is closed in Belgium and the Netherlands
Belgium and the Netherlands have curbed spending on the Games
Belgium and the Netherlands are among the countries leading the charge against loot boxes in video games. Although some titles, such as EA's popular microtransaction sports games, have managed to break away from these previously imposed restrictions, these areas continue to push the game's spending systems, considering them to be against gambling laws.
Such legal restrictions have resulted in mobile games such as Immortal Diablo cannot be played in these regions, as publishers choose to avoid the difficulty of shipping without including their monetization strategy. Other games, such as Overwatchwere only released in certain markets without loot boxes, making them subject to local regulations. While some games do jump — it's impossible to track individual titles with in-game spend — high-end releases such as Pokémon Unite then the relevant regulatory authority is almost certainly under the microscope.
The Pokémon Company has not yet explained the removal of Pokémon Unite from the Belgian and Dutch markets
The Pokémon Company's brief statement on the future of Pokémon Unite in the territories mentioned above does not say that loot boxes or microtransactions are the reason for the closure, but it seems to be the obvious reason. Theoretically, Pokémon Unite can make its content free in these countries, removing costs for games and loot boxes such as Overwatch done, but there are important differences between these titles: Pokémon Unite is a free game, which means that a reduction or a significant reduction in the spread of gaming expenses in these countries means a complete or near loss of profits in the relevant markets — something that obviously won't interest The Pokémon Company. in.
From an optical point of view, it makes sense for TPC to be vague about the cause We are united closed. Microtransactions and loot boxes are generally viewed with disdain, both inside and outside the gaming community, so it's unlikely that the company will directly mention them as an official reason behind them. . We are unitedthe removal of these countries soon. It's worth noting that Belgium and the Netherlands aren't the only countries policing these types of games, as Australia has been cracking down on loot boxes and gaming spending for years now. As more countries follow suit, it will be interesting to see how game companies respond, especially those focused on the free and mobile market.
Pokémon Unite
can be played in Belgium and the Netherlands until November 30, 2025.
