Does anyone else spend way too much time thinking about where the game/series goes next?

[TheKryptoKnight]

For basically the last year now, since even before NH launched, I've been completely obsessed with Animal Crossing's evolution... I pretty much always want to be discussing where the game could go/what updates could come out. Or what the next game could look like. I have SO MANY ideas/hopes/dreams! I'm approaching 500 hours with the game. I'm very happy with it. But Animal Crossing is imo one of the most unique Nintendo series in terms of potential. There can always be more items/characters/events/places to go. And I just want to see them fully realize that potential...

One of my biggest anxieties with the game is that they stop supporting it prematurely. I wish we had even the faintest roadmap for how long the updates will continue. Common knowledge is 2-3 years based on that interview quote... But there's a bit of guesswork/reading between the lines happening there. I wish they would confirm it. But Nintendo isn't a company that communicates that directly.

I'm probably too invested in this game/series. But I really hope we're at the beginning of this game's life span, and no where near the end!

 

[John Wick]

I don't want it to progress in an online/app/forced internet/trading/multiplayer way.


I loathe it.

If I wanted to experience that, I'd use facebook, but I don't and never will.


I worry that this series will become unplayable, as I watch the devs destroy it, and take it apart, a chunk at a time.

 

[Monokuma73]

Dear @TheKryptoKnight, for me it's completely normal, when something is good, interesting, tempting, consuming etc, we would like to have it as best as possible. We (players) invested our money (hardware + software) and our time and commitment.
We have our dreams, ideas, expectations - what is still normal.

What we may expect realistically from Nintendo? We may be sure, it's one (free) update at some point in November. It hasn't been said it's the final, last one, but as I raised my concerns, as the game will be having "all-year-update-circle/cycle" this will be the last one, or at least last-free-update. I may be wrong - so please, don't consider it as "oracle prophecy" ;-)
We don't know what Nintendo is planning regarding the future of ACNH - if they will decide to release some more free updates, or maybe some paid DLC? It's still unknown. I fully agree, there are so many thing could be added to the base game as updates and there are two roads Nintendo may follow:

• Still release updates free / paid DLC for some time, let's say another year
• Finish updates after November update and focus on work on another, unknown iteration of AC for future.

However, ACNH is not only one AC game available. I don't know, if someone played many hours ACNH may be happy with older AC, but it's some option. For me, personally, there's still something if I will stop play ACNH, I have older AC games, not explored with some of potential. If not, there are other games, could be complimentary to AC games, like Dragon Quest Builders (part one and two released on Switch) or other games giving similar experience like Terraria, Minecraft etc.

 

[Megaroni]

I'm honestly disappointed in Nintendo. For the last several years they've been sacrificing good gameplay for graphics in a lot of their games. Many people who have played newer Nintendo games have said that they seem unfinished, the two I know about most are BOTW and ACNH. When watching lets plays of these games the graphics are always incredible but there are glaringly obvious gameplay mistakes that Nintendo should know to avoid by now.

Other popular critiques on Nintendo are the outrageous costs of its games and its lack of transparency. In my opinion, these 3 problems combined make me very pessimistic about the future of ACNH. I hope that they end up stepping up to the plate for ACNH, but it's just not likely considering the path they've been on for the past 5 ish years. Part of me wishes this game was created by an indie brand because they usually care more about the opinions of their customers and the gameplay quality.

Yes, I do have very pessimistic views on Nintendo and how it will handle its games, but I am also a slave to capitalism. All things considered, ACNH is still an enjoyable game despite its (and its brand's) downfalls.

 

[TheKryptoKnight]

Haha, okay, this thread didn't go remotely as intended. So much negativity! I guess I'll sit here alone being excited about the game's/series' potential

 

[niko@kamogawa]

Please take into consideration that this is a "console" game. Hence, we don't get that much updates as compared to its mobile counterpart.

Honestly, the players' wants changed drastically over the years. I know that this game doesn't feel like 100% when it first came out. This is the sole reason why we often talk about these things. People want something new all the time. Nintendo handled this well by providing subsequent updates free of charge but it does take a bit of time. Not that I mind.

Maybe we just have very high expectations considering from their previous successes.

 

[cats_toy]

I try not to think about what Nintendo has done or will do to the AC franchise its to damn depressing.

 

[Bilaz]

Yes I think about this a lot
I think new horizons is going in the right direction, I think they were attempting to modernise the furniture but missed the mark a bit, but all the new stuff is stunning and I hope they keep adding to it
I'm enjoying the updates I have to say as it keeps me coming back, in New Leaf I missed most events because I'd periodically lose interest.
I just hope they bring back the roost and missing features

 

[Monokuma73]

Haha, okay, this thread didn't go remotely as intended. So much negativity! I guess I'll sit here alone being excited about the game's/series' potential

You haven't received any negativity (at least) from me, it was just pure reaction to your post, sharing my thoughts and giving some ideas what is possible from a player perspective.

 

[ForbiddenSecrets]

I'm expecting free updates until Festivale at least (Pave was in the Feb Nintendo Direct in the section about season updates). After that who knows. Given the dev team I think we'll have a few more content drops (clothing/furniture style) and eventually a larger paid DLC.

 

[Mairen]

Haha, okay, this thread didn't go remotely as intended. So much negativity! I guess I'll sit here alone being excited about the game's/series' potential

hey don't feel bad! that's supposed to be the fun part about starting a discussion on a forum like this: you are allowing people with all opinions to come and join in the discussion, whether positive or negative. If you want a "praise animal crossing thread" you gotta specifiy. (and I mean this all in the kindest way possible!)

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in the direction the series is heading, but I feel like a newbie as well. I've only really played New Leaf and New Horizons, so it's hard for me to say only based off of the last 2 games. That being said, I was really pleased with the new features that were put in this latest game and it's kept me entertained for quite awhile now. I believe Nintendo stated from the beginning that they were going to continue to update this game for a couple years, so I never let myself fall into a panic over the game being "unfinished". I do often wonder what the next game is going to be like.

 

[Monokuma73]

(...)
I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in the direction the series is heading, but I feel like a newbie as well. I've only really played New Leaf and New Horizons, so it's hard for me to say only based off of the last 2 games. That being said, I was really pleased with the new features that were put in this latest game and it's kept me entertained for quite awhile now. I believe Nintendo stated from the beginning that they were going to continue to update this game for a couple years, so I never let myself fall into a panic over the game being "unfinished". I do often wonder what the next game is going to be like.

This is true, as we can't be sure for 100% about direction the series, or ACNH is heading. We may have seen / read some rumours / leaks, but the future of this game / series is unknown.
As at least most of us here, on this or similar forums are because this game is something what we like. However, liking is not equals praising - agreed again. Let's think, if everyone will be thinking everything is the best / everything is as intended, none of the bugs will be ever reported and finally product will be worse than could be.
We can't forget there is a difference between dreams and real expectations. We may have own wishes, shared with many or no-one else, but just discussing those will not magically make them to be fulfilled.
I like ACNH and I wish the best for this game and future products because I want to have more fun / pleasure to playing it. As a customer, I have my expectations and demands, like hardware / software stability, fixing bugs etc.
What I think personally, we have to wait at least until the November and see what following update will bring, but for now, except time travellers let's have a fun, and enjoy this update we received, as we still haven't had Halloween yet.
I noticed something quite sad, not regarding this particular game / series, but just generally - people willingly buying a product, they are ready to almost worship it, but instead of having a joy of using it, they start to waiting for future version instead of using current one.

 

[Jassiii]

Because it's Nintendo I try not to think too hard over it-- as someone previously pointed out Nintendos focus seems to be on graphics and graphics alone. Major examples of this being ACNH itself, BOTW, and Pokemon SWSH (I'd argue Lets go as well, but that's in tandem with them constantly shoving Gen 1 down our throats).

Three Nintendo giants that fell into controversy (in varying degrees) when comparing gameplay to graphics-- BotW was impressive in all areas but incredibly repetitive and honestly empty feeling, lots of map to explore with no life outside of the same three enemies and their reskins.

Pokemon is an entirely beaten horse, just look back at the last few titles-- SWSH was leagues better than sun & moon but it was so short with basically no post-game outside of the dlc (which, like the whipped consumer I am for Pokemon, I bought).

ACNH had big shoes to fill, I'll give it that. All of Animal Crossings game gets praise sang to it like a chorus so I'm sure they were under pressure for NH to be fantastic. But I think in this area of development, ACNH differs. Whereas Pokemon is in a constant rush to push something out every year or so, animal crossing took its time. You can tell this game is made with love, even in its fault. I'm constantly looking forward to what's upcoming for animal crossing, but because most big title switch games seem to be a push on good graphics lately-- there's a grain of ' please don't ruin this ' that I feel when I think too long about what's in the future for Animal Crossing.

Sorry this was kinda all over the place...lol

 

[Corrie]

Wherever it goes, I hope it doesn't resort to hiding basic things behind paywalls. That would be the end for me personally.

 

[-Blue-]

I remember when my friends and I were discussing what the next AC would be, back when NL was still kicking strong. They couldn't figure out where they could go after making you the mayor with all the control. And I suggested they should make the game be building a town up from scratch. You start off in some deserted town or woodsy area that isn't populated and have to work your way to having a full-fledged town.

They went with that idea oddly enough, but I wish they added more content to it. It's not like we're getting a ton of extra stuff each month. It's little things. I really do hope when January or March rolls in (when the game released) they get the ball rolling with bulkier updates.

I will admit a part of me wondered if they've been so slow with the updates because they want to try the same thing with the next AC, but with all the cut content that way they can push out a similar game 4+ years from now and not have to go fully back to the drawing board.

 

[Watchingthetreetops]

so I certainly have issues with the game, and I have issues with every large company I deal with. For starters, I have not played a pokemon game. It just wasn't in my life as a kid so I don't have the nostalgia, the only exception being the first couple of seasons of the show. I WANT to play BOTW but haven't yet gotten the chance.

Before New Leaf, I was in the same boat as most of you. Most the games coming out were very bland in regards to nintendo. After New Leaf there was an explosion of creativity. I do feel that ACNH is a bit bland, but I do really enjoy the game and am looking forward to all of the updates.

 

[NicksFixed]

I didn't think about it too much but, funnily enough, I did think about this only the other day. Back in the NL days there seemed to be two things people wanted most: the abilities to decorate outside and to change the landscape [including building placement]. We have those now ...

A lot of people are saying that they want old features back ... some are already ... others are coming and, if not, possible with updates ... but think about it. If everyone got absolutely everything they wanted in this game, what WOULD be left? If we got pets, it would become Nintendogs. If we got marriage, it would become Harvest Moon. If we got things that other games have, it wouldn't be Animal Crossing anymore !! And if we got everything all wrapped up in one package, we wouldn't get another main series game at all !! We'd get Villager stranded in the middle of the Masai Mara in Zebra Crossing: Safari Madness !!

Learn to walk before you can run. I'd rather the game evolve than change.

 

[MayorofMapleton]

What I think and hope for, is that we'll be back on the mainland and with a bit more of a bigger area to work with.

Improved terraforming and design elements
New Leaf and New Horizons hybridization of game mechanics and items.
A city like area where Tom Nook now has a Nook Inc skyscraper.
The buildings in the city are unlocked and their exteriors can be customized like HHD.
Villagers can be moved in with more control like how you pick villagers in HHD, as well as new mystery tour based mechanics and random move in.
Certain buildings are built in your town.
Dodos have a proper airport now and have gone big.
All NPCs in.

Nook has grown even more and talking to him allows you to customize and control extensions of the town/city map. Would you like the city north of town or east of it? Campgrounds and forest to the south? Out of town gas station and OK Motors shop to the west? No problem, these extensions can be added in a block/grid like manner.

This way it also creates more uniqueness in how you expand and set up your town. You can go to these locations by either having to pay a small fee for transport or after purchasing an RV you're able to go on your own.