Nintendo to Shut Down Loot Box Enabled Mobile Games in Belgium

Nintendo is going to shut down two of its popular mobile games, Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, in Belgium due to the nation’s anti-gambling laws aimed at loot boxes.

From August onwards, both the games will not be available to download or play. Players who have Orbs or Leaf Tickets can still use them until the game’s removal. Due to the law, Nintendo also will not release any future games with similar earnings models in Belgium.

Belgium passed a law last year that banned video game loot boxes, which allow players to pay cash to unlock rewards. The nation’s gambling commission ordered several popular games that came with in-game revenue models, including Overwatch, Counterstrike: Global Offensive, and FIFA 18 to remove their loot boxes in Belgium.