Animal Crossing has always had a special place in my heart. The series has been around in the United States since 2002 when the original game “Animal Crossing: Population Growing” was released. This was my introduction to the series at age 6 and I’ve played every iteration of the game since. There have been many versions of the game over the years but the main premise remains the same: you are a human character moving to a small village of adorable animal creatures and your only goals are to make friends and create an environment to your liking through interior/exterior decorating, gardening, and social interaction. It is safe to say that I have many good feelings and memories associated with this game series, as well as a healthy amount of nostalgia. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest version of the game. I have been anticipating this game since the console itself was released in 2017. I had no idea that this game I’d been waiting years for would come to me at such a tumultuous time in the world. The game launched on March 20, 2020 just days after Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a shelter in place and California State University Long Beach announced classes will transition to online. Amid these frightening events I was comforted by the fact that I had a virtual world full of happiness, simplicity, and positivity to escape to. In fact, many people felt this way. Even players who were new to the series began to flock to it and soon the console and physical copies of the game were sold out everywhere. In this exhibition I wanted to showcase the virtual worlds my friends have created for themselves. What brings them comfort? Is it intricate design, gardening, or a place for friends to gather? I took a tour of three different islands to find out.
The Town of Muffin
Muffin was the first town I visited this afternoon. This was actually a planned visit – Bonnie is a friend of mine who I met via my roller skating Instagram. She has been periodically organizing virtual meetups in Animal Crossing where multiple players can gather in her town to exchange sought after items. Her town was extremely well laid out – paths leading visitors to every notable or important landmark. Still she greeted me at her gates and showed me to the area where visitors were to drop their items and hopefully pick up some new ones. She even led me to an area where I could pick rare flowers to take home to my own village. It was clear to me that one of the main comforting aspects of this game for her was it’s ability to bring players together. This was the second time she hosted an event like this – two weeks ago she hosted a similar event for her real life birthday. For her birthday event guests still brought items to exchange amongst one another but this time she had decorated her town with balloons and streamers just as if it were a real birthday party. Planning these virtual get togethers seems to bring this player joy in a time where literally bringing people together is not possible.
The Town of Lorwyn
Mason is another friend I have never met in person. I was introduced to them via an Animal Crossing group chat I was included in by my childhood friend Umi who will make an appearance in the next installment of this exhibition. Umi is actually the only person in the group chat that I have met in “real life”, however I never felt awkward when communicating to the group. We all shared at least one commonality: we are playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I sent a message to the group, which I have now been a part of for two to three weeks, asking if I could visit their towns and take a few photos for a class. Multiple members immediately showed enthusiastic support and turned on their consoles for me to visit their towns. This actually warmed my heart – a group of people I had never physically met seemed to actually care about my schoolwork and were willing to take time out of their schedules to help me. After relishing in how wonderful people could be for a moment I was off to visit Mason (or “Macy” as their character is nicknamed) on the island of Lorwyn. Though I had played online with multiple people in the chat I had never been to Mason’s town. Their town was the most complete and fleshed out that I have seen yet. The town boasted rare flowers, upgraded shops, perfectly curated furniture, beautifully laid out pathways, and impeccable interior and exterior decorating. It was clear that they truly enjoyed putting time and effort into creating a very aesthetically pleasing village. I can only assume the long process it takes to achieve such a well crafted town, through activities like furniture collecting, gardening, and designing, is one of the main draws and comforts of this game for Mason.
The Town of Honeymoon
Finally, the town of Honeymoon. Honeymoon belongs to my oldest and dearest friend Umi. I have been friends with Umi since first grade. Longer than I have been playing the Animal Crossing series! Through the years our closeness has waxed and waned but we never lost touch. Just before all this virus madness happened we actually reconnected and were hanging out more frequently. Once all the laws and regulations were put in place restricting gathering with people outside one’s own home I was saddened that my social life might take yet another hit, and I would have to go on without maintaining my connections with friends. This however, was not the case. Umi and I hang out quite often now, once every week or so, only now it is virtually through the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. She was adamant in the group chat that I visit her town for my project, saying “Riley I’m your oldest friend and I demand to participate”. She was not wrong, and I was much obliged to fulfill her request! Honeymoon ended up being the last town I visited tonight. The sun had just set in the game and her village was quiet. Our visit was full of in-game chatter and jokes. There are colorful and happy items of furniture all around. Umi’s play style is hard to describe in words, but if I had to I would say that she plays the game solely for her own enjoyment and not to adhere to any trivial standards of proficiency. The first time we met in game she gave me many gifts – when I offered to trade her for items or in game currency she told me that giving these virtual gifts made her happy. The same concept applied tonight I think. Umi saw a way to give someone (me!) a gift, in this case simply with her time, and she was more than happy to do it. This is the kind of generous person and friend Umi is in reality – someone who truly derives joy and comfort from helping others – and I am not surprised that the same behavior translates to the virtual world.
ART 110 Blog 