“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is a perfect example of being in the right place at the right time. The long-awaited fifth installment in Nintendo’s “Animal Crossing” franchise took the world by storm in 2020. Upon release, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” became the second best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch and one of the best-selling video games of all time. However, it seemed to depart from the public eye as quickly as it dominated it. So, why did “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” fade away like it did?
A Deserted Island Amidst a Worldwide Pandemic
Launching right at the beginning of a worldwide quarantine, there seemed to be no better way to spend a slow, isolated day in the real world than catching bugs, planting fruit trees, decorating a dream home and chatting with neighbors on a virtual deserted island – a bare canvas with untapped potential to bring any and all ideas to life. Although it is undeniable that COVID-19 played a massive role in the success of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” it is also unfair to claim that the game would have not been nearly as popular as it was without a global pandemic.
The franchise’s previous mainline entry, “Animal Crossing: New Leaf,” released eight years prior and longtime fans of the series only received sporadic decorating, mobile and party spin-off games in the meantime. “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was first announced in the fall of 2018 with a 2019 release date in mind. However, the game faced a delay to a brand new release date of March 20, 2020.
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” seemed to be all anyone could talk about in the gaming space during the spring and summer of 2020. Now, over three years later, practically no one even mentions it. Sometimes, quarantine feels as if it happened a decade ago; in reality, three years is not a long time. And, for a game with a foundation built upon the idea of a “day-to-day” life simulation, the fact that it really only retained its relevance for such a short time is not a good sign.
Turning Over a New Leaf, Looking to a New Horizon
Even with the massive success of its successor, “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” is still considered by many as the hallmark of the franchise. The fact the 3DS game contained many features and characters at launch which were added to “New Horizons” through post-release updates also contributes to this general, fond reminiscence and elevation of “New Leaf” over “New Horizons.”
Despite this, the impact of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” can not be understated. Seriously, name another game where players were hosting missed graduation ceremonies, weddings, political campaigns, a live streamed talk show and an online fan-made marketplace. People even began recommending other cozy, simulation games to play in quarantine to stave off the “Animal Crossing fatigue.”
An Overall Lack of Long Term Support
There are many factors to pin down that contribute to the fade from popularity of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” The fact it was at its most popular during the height of COVID-19 and now, with the peak of the pandemic in the past, the game simply just does not have the same appeal is the primary reason many point to. However, Nintendo’s long term support – or lack thereof – towards “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is also a major component at play here.
In the months following the initial launch of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” Nintendo continuously released patches and updates for the game. Many of these updates contained mixtures of both bug fixes and fresh content for players to enjoy. From diving for underwater creatures, new holidays to take part in and even the long-awaited return of the froggy chair, it became clear the development team listened to fan reception on the game.
At the end of 2021, Nintendo announced and released its last major update to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” which included a plethora of free content, items and villagers. There was even a paid DLC, titled “Happy Home Paradise,” completely centered around the decorating aspect of “Animal Crossing.” After this update, Nintendo practically abandoned “New Horizons” with no notable updates ever since.
Gradual Work Leads to Greater Payoff
The core of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” – and the series as a whole – is how a little work, every day, will culminate in greater payoff. At the beginning, the player is greeted with a deserted and overgrown island to call home. With daily goals to complete and chores to tend to, the island becomes populated with residents, shops and amenities.
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is based in real-time: one day in the real world equals one day in-game (without the popular and shunned practice of messing with the Nintendo Switch’s clock factored in). It could have received support for years to come, with its popularity riding high until the inevitable release of the next “Animal Crossing” installment. Instead, “New Horizons” faced a little over a year’s worth of updates and then completely “finished” upon its 2021 update. With nothing new to look forward to on the horizon, interest in the game faded – at a rather rapid rate too.
A Day-to-Day Game With a Short Lifespan
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is a game that should have lasted years. That isn’t to say Nintendo does not regularly provide post-launch support and retain excitement for their titles: 2018’s “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” received new DLC fighters until the end of 2021 and it has been confirmed that 2022’s “Splatoon 3” will receive at least two years worth of updates. In the end, Nintendo simply decided to divert their attention to other upcoming projects after “New Horizons.”
Although “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is not actively receiving anything new, the game still undergoes its yearly routine with holidays, seasons and events for players to take part in. The game has certainly “faded” over time, but it is by no means “dead.”
Featured Image Courtesy of Nintendo.
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