i think hacking the game is okay if it's not done with bad intentions ( isn't used to ruin anyone else's game play ) and have no problem with it. i've seen some stunning hacked town tours on youtube and visited others through the dream suite, and i wish i could create something like them. it's super cool to see what can be done, and it sounds awesome to be able to change your town name, mayor, map and whatever else at will.
i've been comenting on this thread a lot but....
i dont believe that the purpose of acnl is to work for everything. i think the purpose is to enjoy a small life as a mayor and control the town. if people want to advance faster and get advantages easier, they can hack and do so. but i don't believe that the purpose of the game is to work for a great town, even though that may be a goal along the way.
i completely agree. ^ it kind of bothers me when people assume that animal crossing should be played a specific way because it follows real time. ( as well as when people consider Time Traveling, a feature
implemented in the game by the creators that doesn't require an external device or program, cheating. if anything it's an option. like, they even made it a villager rumor ) nintendo didn't release an Animal Crossing Rule Book: You Can Only Play The Game Like This. personally, i don't believe there's supposed to be a certain way to play it.
anyway think about it like this; there are two travelers, and two different paths, one's shorter than the other, but they both lead to the same place. one traveler will prefer the shortcut - maybe because they're impatient or busy, and there's nothing wrong with that. the other traveler will prefer the longer route because they like to take their time, and, again, there's nothing wrong with that. either way it's not a race, there's no competition to begin with, and the two travelers won't cross paths along the way and will both eventually find themselves at their destination.
moral of the story? play the game how you want and let people play the game how they want. it shouldn't affect you. if you like taking your time and working for everything on your own, do it that way. or if you like hacking to achieve the town, villagers and items you want, go for it - just don't mess with anyone else's game.
i've met hackers who are so so kind, very helpful and generous, and they don't deserve any hate and disapproval that hacking usually comes with. and on the other hand i've read about the horror stories that have happened on CT due to the bad hackers - but i wouldn't say it's the hacking that's bad, it's specifically those people and what they've chosen to do with their hacking.
tldr: i approve