Race & Animal Crossing

[monochrome]

I saw this brought up on another animal crossing forum and thought it would be an interesting topic of discussion here as well;

Why do you think animal crossing has yet to make a way for us to be able to choose our race at the beginning of the game? How do you think they could incorporate it into the game in future titles?

Yes, there is a way to tan yourself to the darker skin colors but that should not be something that you would have to work toward and maintain.

Some argue that there would be no way to do this in the way animal crossing does this (like ask weird ominious questions to get eye shapes and hairstyles) but I'm sure if they had one of those strange questions and included a instructional in the booklet that comes with the game on what to say to get what race, it could be done.

I believe that it may be because Japan not as diverse of a country as say America is. But regardless of that, every race should be allowed to be represented. The lack of customization with race is a little odd.

An interesting idea would be to have "patterns" for race. So just like you have patterns for clothing you could change your skin by making a pattern. Then again, that would require effort which defeats the original purpose--but its something to think about.

[Prof Gallows]

Because it's a Nintendo/Japanese game.

A lot of games don't let you pick your race. I don't think there is any reason behind it other than it would take up time and resources for something that isn't really needed to enjoy the game completely.

[monochrome]

Well of course a lot of other games don't let you pick your race. But then again, a lot of other games are story based. You're playing the character, not playing yourself. The difference between those games and this one is your character on animal crossing is supposed to be a representation of you.

I can imagine it being uncomfortable especially for a little boy or girl arriving at their new town excited to play the game only to discover that they have no choice and must be white, again. This kind of thing causes identity issues in young children and its really sad to see. Especially with nintendo being regarded as sort of a more "family gaming" company you would think they may consider this. So I think in some cases, it would intervene on enjoying the game completely for some players.

[Kabune]

imo, they should allow a way to pick your race/color. Im black, and even though we will most likely get a mii face feature again, i don't want just my face and skin color then not be able to use accesories. I rather they gave us skin colors, cause the people who are white don't have to try and do something like tanning everyday.

[Officer Berri]

I've wondered this for a while, myself. But I really don't see how they could do this without just giving us the ability to customize our appearance completely from the beginning of the game. Unless Rover asked us a question like "How much sun do you like?"

"I want to be in the sun all day every day!" -very tanned
"I like a little sun, but not too much." -lightly tanned
"I like to stay out of the sun as much as possible." -no tan

But even that feels awkward.

[Dustbunnii]

I've wondered this for a while, myself. But I really don't see how they could do this without just giving us the ability to customize our appearance completely from the beginning of the game. Unless Rover asked us a question like "How much sun do you like?"

"I want to be in the sun all day every day!" -very tanned
"I like a little sun, but not too much." -lightly tanned
"I like to stay out of the sun as much as possible." -no tan

But even that feels awkward.

I think that would be a good way to do it... but that's just me.

I also think it's a bit odd that they haven't added skin color to the character creation...
With the island, it would be relatively simple to keep your skin dark, but like other people have said, it shouldn't really be something that one should have to work towards...
I also feel like the addition of skin color choices from the beginning might make tanning irrelevant unless each skin tone could get darker and lighter...
Either way, I don't think it's really fair that they don't have skin-tone options outside of tanning... oh well.

[Bambi]

Officer Berri, I don't think your idea sounds awkward at all. How is that anymore awkward than answering random questions for certain eye shapes and hairstyles?

Of course its easy for white people to say "Nah, it's not necessary." For me though, If I was black or brown or anything I would probably be P.O.'d. The character is supposed to be a representation of yourself. The more you feel like it's a little "you" running around doing these things, the more fun IMO.

I think I mentioned this before that I would love to make a character of my bf, who is brown but I can't since no little white boys will be relatively close. As you said Monochrome, it affects enjoying the game completely. If I HAD to be dark skinned in the game I wouldn't be as happy as being white and vice versa.

[Officer Berri]

Well, I only mean awkward because there would be people who have natural dark skin and don't like going out in the sun at all, and people who love going out in the sun bug for one reason or another cannot get a tan at all. I dunno.

[Bambi]

Well, I only mean awkward because there would be people who have natural dark skin and don't like going out in the sun at all, and people who love going out in the sun bug for one reason or another cannot get a tan at all. I dunno.

Ahh I see what you mean :P

Although I highly doubt it will be incorporated as its a Japanese game not an American or Canadian game where our population is much more diverse. Still would be nice for people to have the option though.

[Officer Berri]

I just wish we had the option to choose our skin tone and have an option to pick so we don't have to worry about tanning. I have the ability to get very tan (comes from my native american genetics. I was a really tan baby. xD), but I like the way I look without a tan. I'm really pale now and have been most of my life since I tend to stay ou tof the sun. I just don't like the way really super tan skin looks that much. I want my character to match me! :3