Undoubtedly, one of the biggest success stories of 2020, especially in the case of Nintendo, has been the relentless global domination of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. From its huge launch success to today, the game has been breaking sales records and has won the hearts of players with no signs of slowing down.
So how is Nintendo planning to maintain that momentum? Over the past few months, have we seen many significant content updates as new features are added and seasonal changes come and go, so will these updates continue?
In an interview with Polygon, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser was asked about the future of the game. Two potential ideas were raised: a New Leaf-style approach where the same annual calendar is repeated before a larger update arrives, or a Pocket Camp approach where the game is constantly evolving. Here is what I had to say in response:
“Yeah, I see two possible avenues here, one you’ve already mentioned, which has been our agenda of updates coming from the developers. And it can be around seasons, it can be around events, it can be around improved game features.And this will continue as we move forward.
“I think that is very unique and different Animal Crossing: New Horizons, however, is also the [user-generated content], and the ability of people to really lean on user-generated content and make it available and share it with their friends. And that doesn’t happen in any cadence. This is a continuous environment, constantly changing and evolving, where people can visit the islands and take advantage of this UGC, take it to their islands and share it. So I think that’s another aspect that’s really strengthening the commitment over time to Animal Crossing. “
Following that response, Bowser clarifies that Nintendo “definitely sees” the kind of updates the game has received during its first year continuing.
So, in case you had any fears that New Horizons would slow down, it looks like the usual seasonal updates and new additions will find their way into the game for a long time. As the game quickly heads to the best-selling Switch game title of all time, it’s fantastic (and probably expected) to see how the development team continues to maintain its support, even if they trust a little in the players who keep the game alive by sharing experiences.
Do you see yourself playing in New Horizons for years to come? Would a more significant update like the one New Leaf received be needed to keep you interested? Share your thoughts with us below.