1Upsmanship - Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Feat. Maggie Mae Fish)
Jun 13, 2022
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Maggie Mae Fish, an individual who considers Animal Crossing a complete game, discusses its popularity. The hosts talk about the lack of narrative closure but express enjoyment in decorating their island and helping neighbors. They discuss the guilt of playing and compare it to similar games. They explore the fantasy and simplicity of the game and analyze relationships and boundaries within it. They also discuss whether to keep or delete the game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a calming and customizable virtual world, providing a form of escapism during the pandemic.
The game's design aspect allows players to find satisfaction in collecting and decorating their virtual island.
The incorporation of real-time and seasonal events adds a sense of realism and anticipation to the game.
Deep dives
The Appeal of Animal Crossing: Slow-Paced and Relaxing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides a calming and relaxing gaming experience, serving as a form of escapism. The game doesn't have a strong narrative or high stakes, but instead focuses on creating a peaceful and customizable virtual world. The simplicity of the gameplay allows players to easily immerse themselves in activities like fishing and decorating their islands. It offers a sense of achievement, even though goals are largely self-imposed. The game's popularity during the pandemic can be attributed to its ability to simulate an outdoor experience when many were confined to their homes.
Customizability and Creative Expression in Animal Crossing
While Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers some customization options, it can feel limited, particularly for players with more specific creative visions. The game's aesthetic leans heavily towards the cutesy and does not provide much room for dark or mature themes. However, for those who enjoy creating their own individual aesthetic, the game can be rewarding. The ability to trade items with other players and visit each other's islands adds a collaborative element to the game, allowing for shared creativity and friendships.
The Value and Controversy of Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has prompted discussions around the value of gameplay that lacks a strong story, high stakes, or clear goals. Some argue that the game does not offer enough stimulation or meaningful accomplishments. Others view it as a deliberate departure from the fast-paced, achievement-oriented nature of many other games. The game allows players to slow down, enjoy simple activities, and find contentment in smaller achievements. It has also raised questions about the balance between virtual escapism and the importance of engaging with the real world.
The appeal of design and collecting
One of the main attractions of the podcast episode is the appeal of the design aspect of the game. The guest speaker, Maggie Mayfish, reveals that she enjoys designing and decorating her virtual island in Animal Crossing. She mentions that she loves collecting things and creating themes, which gives her satisfaction in the game. Maggie finds joy in filling out the museum and making sure nothing is out of place in her island. The design element and the ability to hybridize plants into new colors provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment for players like Maggie.
Real-world time and seasonal events
Another significant aspect discussed in the podcast is the real-world time and seasonal events featured in Animal Crossing. The hosts mention how the game is tied to the real clock, with a day-night cycle and changing seasons based on the player's local time. The incorporation of real time and seasonal events adds a sense of realism and novelty to the game. The hosts also point out that events and holidays happen in the game, further enhancing the immersive experience. This unique feature of Animal Crossing adds a layer of charm and a sense of anticipation for players who enjoy the passage of time and the changing of seasons.
What do you get when you cross animals with just kind of hanging out? An activity some -- including the inimitable Maggie Mae Fish -- consider a full-on game, actually, thank you very much. Our hosts dig for fossils, chop wood, and talk shop, all to finally determine whether the game that took the whole world by storm at the start of the pandemic is...you know, "good."