Animal Crossing

Question 1

When was the game released?

Answer 1

2020

Question 2

Signficance of being released in 2020?

Answer 2

Height of Covid-19 lockdown - people at home with time to indulge in gaming

Question 3

Target demographic?

Answer 3

Teenage girls - but actually reached a mixed gender of 20-30 year-olds

Question 4

What genre of videogame is Animal Crossing?

Answer 4

Sandbox simulation game, allows creativity and freedom to customize

Question 5

Examples of prosumer behavior related to Animal Crossing?

Answer 5

Fanart, Wiki pages, Mods, Cosplayers

Question 6

Examples of Mods people have made for the game?

Answer 6

Infinite money (removes sense of achievement), no 24hour background music, more character customization

Question 7

How many copies were sold worldwide in first month?

Answer 7

44 million

Question 8

Where was it originally released?

Answer 8

Exclusively in Japan

Question 9

Significance of the fact that Nintendo translated the game in 2002?

Answer 9

Nintendo adapted to the growth of the game and made the game fit a global market better with Western holidays added, increases global revenue

Question 10

Themes of the game?

Answer 10

Family, friendship and community

Question 11

Examples of technology increasing Animal Crossing’s success?

Answer 11

Nintendo DS with a second touch screen microphone for multiplayer and the mobile phone

Question 12

What is ‘kawaii’?

Answer 12

Means cute or adorable, emphasizes a sense of child-like innocence.

Question 13

Significance of Animal Crossing being kawaii?

Answer 13

Globally known aesthetic and parents will be reassured that the game is safe for their children

Question 14

Examples of kawaii characters?

Answer 14

Rosie, Pinky and Judy - all have small mouths, large eyes and very rounded shapes. Kawaii is exemplified by characters like Hello Kitty

Question 15

Cool features of the game?

Answer 15

Circadian rhythm with real life time and seasons, multiplayer option, peaceful and calming

Question 16

Features of the earlier editions that led to success?

Answer 16

Social simulation game, holidays both Japanese and Western, can expand and trade. The game appealed to people unfamiliar with gaming

Question 17

Critics of earlier games?

Answer 17

“lousy remake” about City Living —-> led to New Leaf being made with completely new concepts, roles and characters

Question 18

Features of the mobile version?

Answer 18

Pocket camp - featured micro-transactions. Original doesn’t, makes it feel safe to parents

Question 19

Relevance to being released on same day as Doom?

Answer 19

Led to crossover fanart and participatory culture, increased audience awareness to opposite sides of the gaming community

Question 20

Differences in New Horizons?

Answer 20

Nook Tiles to give premium rewards, terraforming, in game currency of bells and more customization available

Question 21

Ways that the game targets their audience?

Answer 21

Music is calming, lots of new features frequently, kawaii, no micro-transactions, appeals to people unfamiliar with gaming

Question 22

How does Animal Crossing engage their audience?

Answer 22

Customizable, Re-occurring characters like Tom Nook, Portable gaming on Switch, Circadian rhythm with different events, increased multiplayer

Question 23

How does Animal Crossing reach a diverse audience?

Answer 23

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