Summary
Time has flown sinceAnimal Crossing: New Horizonswas released and so far there is nothing new on the horizon for the massively popular title. The game enjoyed a resurgence of players after the release ofNew Horizons' Happy Home Paradise DLC, but that was back in 2021.
Players have been left to build and rebuild their ideal islands, catch everything that moves, and have the same conversations with their residents over and over again. Any new content would be a welcome addition toAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, and futureAnimal Crossingtitles could utilize live-service features that keep the games fresh for years to come.
Seasonal Catches in Animal Crossing Keep Things Fresh
One of the mechanics that kept players coming back is the seasonal nature ofAnimal Crossing. Each season brings new events, new items, and new creatures crawling around the island. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, impressive catches like the ocean sunfish and marlin are only available when the waters warm up in July. In the fall, as the leaves blaze into oranges and reds, violin beetles and monarch butterflies emerge.
Some deep-sea critters, like the lobster, are only available during certain months. To completely fill out the Nookipedia, players will have to hop onto their island throughout the year for these seasonal catches. This is to say nothing ofAnimal Crossing’s seasonal DIY recipesthat can only be crafted with autumn leaves, snowflakes, or cherry blossom petals.
In winter, 26 different DIY crafts can be made with regular and large snowflakes. In autumn, acorns, pine cones, and a variety of mushrooms can be used to make 32 different DIY recipes. In spring, 27 DIY crafts use cherry blossom petals and young spring bamboo.
New Species Could Come to Animal Crossing
By utilizing a live-service approach to the catch-able critters in theAnimal Crossinggames, Nintendo could not only breathe new life into established games likeNew Horizonsbut also establish a practice that keeps players coming back to new titles. Rather than resting on its laurels, Nintendo could entice players new and old by expanding the species found on the islands.
If each year brought in new bugs, fish, and sea creatures, then playersdetermined to fill out their Nookipedia collectionswould have to continually log on to the game after its initial release. Currently,Animal Crossing: New Horizonshas:
OtherAnimal Crossingtitles feature fish that could swim onto Switch screens via a live-service feature. The herabuna, or Japanese white crucian carp, is a freshwater fish exclusive only toDobutsu no Mori+which was exclusively released in Japan in 2001. Similarly, the giant catfish is only available infirst-generationAnimal Crossingtitles. Fruit beetles and house centipedes were left out of the latest game but were once roaming around inNew Leaf. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and bugs on the ground, that could easily be added to current or futureAnimal Crossinggames.
Exclusivity Incentivizes Animal Crossing Players
If there were creatures that players could only catch within a certain time frame, then that exclusivity would make them all the more valuable. For example, if a dragonfish or certain breed of dragonfly wereonly active during the 2024 Lunar New Year, then players would be incentivized to visit their island before they miss the chance to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. There would likewise be a market for critters that players missed out on from previous years.
Catching the same creatures time after time gets dull. There is no motivation for players who have a completed bug, fish, and sea creature collection to return toAnimal Crossing: New Horizonswith a net in hand. A live-service feature that continually updated the Nookipedia could keep players entertained in between releases.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. you’re able to hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
