Pokémon Unite, a MOBA-style arena battle game featuring the titular pocket monsters, is being pulled from certain markets next year. Ahead of its delisting in late 2025,Pokemon Unitewill no longer support in-game spendingafter October 2025 in these specific regions, which will ultimately reduce its profitability.
Though it’s certainly not as popular as the mainlinePokémongames,Pokémon Unitehas garnered a fair bit of buzz, especially in the mobile market. As a free-to-play title,Unitehas to succeed off the back of its satisfying core gameplay loop, which incentivizes players to spend money on in-game purchases. InPokémon Unite, players can spend money on the following in-game currencies:
These various currencies can be used to unlock different Pokémon, cosmetics, and Held Items, which can be used to give playable Pokémon a leg up in battle, such as a static boost to attack power. It’s through these currencies that microtransactions come into play, as, while players can earn Coins and Tickets through regular (albeit grind-heavy) gameplay, Gems must be purchased through the in-game store, earned with a paid battle pass, or accumulated through a monthly membership.Unitealso has something called a Prize Machine, which is essentially the same as a loot box system.
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 among the countries leading the charge against loot boxes in video games. Although some titles, likeEA’s infamously microtransaction-ridden sports games, have managed to wriggle out of these imposed restrictions in the past, these regions continue to push back against predatory in-game spending systems, considering them to be against gambling laws.
Such legal restrictions have resulted inmobile games likeDiablo Immortalbeing unplayable in these regions, as publishers choose to avoid the complications of launching without the inclusion of their central monetization strategy. Other games, likeOverwatch, have simply been released in certain markets sans loot boxes, making them in compliance with local regulations. While some games slip through the cracks—it’s impractical to monitor every single title with in-game spending—high-profile releases likePokémonUniteare almost certain to be under the microscope of the relevant regulatory powers.
The Pokémon Company Has Yet to Explain Pokémon Unite’s Removal from Belgian and Dutch Markets
The Pokémon Company’s brief statementabout the future ofPokémon Unitein the aforementioned territories makes no mention of loot boxes or microtransactions being the reason behind the shutdown, but it seems like the obvious motive. Theoretically,Pokémon Unitecould just make its content freein these nations, removing in-game spending and loot boxes in the same way thatOverwatchdid, but there’s a key distinction between these titles:Pokémon Uniteis a free-to-play game, meaning that cutting or significantly reducing the prevalence of in-game spending in these countries would mean a total or near loss of profitability in the relevant markets—something that The Pokémon Company obviously wouldn’t be interested in.
From an optics standpoint, it makes sense for TPC to be vague about the reasons whyUniteis 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 behindUnite’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, asAustralia has also been cracking down on loot boxesand 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 Unitewill be playable in Belgium and The Netherlands until May 21, 2025.
Pokémon Unite
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Trainers from around the world as they head for Aeos Island to compete in Unite Battles! In Unite Battles, Trainers face off in 5-on-5 team battles to see who can score the most points within the allotted time. Teamwork is key as you and your teammates defeat wild Pokémon, level up and evolve your partner Pokémon, and knock out the opposing team’s Pokémon to prevent them from scoring points. Put your teamwork to the test, and take home the win!BATTLE IN STYLE: Take to the field while looking your best in Holowear! Thanks to a special technology developed using Aeos energy, Trainers can deck out their Pokémon in a variety of holographic outfits—with new styles arriving regularly!UNITE MOVES: Unleash the true power of your Pokémon with Unite Moves! Leverage these all-new Pokémon moves, which are only possible while in Unite Battles, and turn the tide of even the direst situations.RANK UP: Looking to prove how skilled you are? Participate in ranked matches, and earn points as you climb up the global leaderboard!COMMUNICATION IS KEY: Even the most skilled Trainers recognize how important communication is to their team’s success. Leverage signals, quick-chat messages, and—for the first time in a Pokémon title—voice chat to communicate and stay in sync with your team.
