Animal Crossing Flashcards
When was the game released?
2020
Signficance of being released in 2020?
Height of Covid-19 lockdown - people at home with time to indulge in gaming
Target demographic?
Teenage girls - but actually reached a mixed gender of 20-30 year-olds
What genre of videogame is Animal Crossing?
Sandbox simulation game, allows creativity and freedom to customize
Examples of prosumer behavior related to Animal Crossing?
Fanart, Wiki pages, Mods, Cosplayers
Examples of Mods people have made for the game?
Infinite money (removes sense of achievement), no 24hour background music, more character customization
How many copies were sold worldwide in first month?
44 million
Where was it originally released?
Exclusively in Japan
Significance of the fact that Nintendo translated the game in 2002?
Nintendo adapted to the growth of the game and made the game fit a global market better with Western holidays added, increases global revenue
Themes of the game?
Family, friendship and community
Examples of technology increasing Animal Crossing’s success?
Nintendo DS with a second touch screen microphone for multiplayer and the mobile phone
What is ‘kawaii’?
Means cute or adorable, emphasizes a sense of child-like innocence.
Significance of Animal Crossing being kawaii?
Globally known aesthetic and parents will be reassured that the game is safe for their children
Examples of kawaii characters?
Rosie, Pinky and Judy - all have small mouths, large eyes and very rounded shapes. Kawaii is exemplified by characters like Hello Kitty
Cool features of the game?
Circadian rhythm with real life time and seasons, multiplayer option, peaceful and calming
Features of the earlier editions that led to success?
Social simulation game, holidays both Japanese and Western, can expand and trade. The game appealed to people unfamiliar with gaming
Critics of earlier games?
“lousy remake” about City Living —-> led to New Leaf being made with completely new concepts, roles and characters
Features of the mobile version?
Pocket camp - featured micro-transactions. Original doesn’t, makes it feel safe to parents
Relevance to being released on same day as Doom?
Led to crossover fanart and participatory culture, increased audience awareness to opposite sides of the gaming community
Differences in New Horizons?
Nook Tiles to give premium rewards, terraforming, in game currency of bells and more customization available
Ways that the game targets their audience?
Music is calming, lots of new features frequently, kawaii, no micro-transactions, appeals to people unfamiliar with gaming
How does Animal Crossing engage their audience?
Customizable, Re-occurring characters like Tom Nook, Portable gaming on Switch, Circadian rhythm with different events, increased multiplayer
How does Animal Crossing reach a diverse audience?
Includes holidays from across globe (eg: Turkey Day), for all age ranges simple for children but has elements of adulthood, constant updates and a reward system. Also Doom release
