Escaping reality with AC.

[Pirate]

So I've come to the realisation that lately I've been playing more and more AC because I'm wanting to escape reality and my problems. While I know that playing it won't fix said problems, I like the comfort in knowing it's there. When you find yourself sitting on Facebook with no one talking to you or texting someone and them not replying, you just get on AC and find comfort in knowing at least your little animals will talk to you, even though they're not real.

This thread is actually pretty sad, sorry about that, but I wanted to know if I'm alone in this or not. Do you play AC for the same reason? Do you just play it for fun? How about both? Maybe some other reason? I'm just curious. I always feel happier when I'm playing this game.

 

[Bowie]

Well, I wouldn't say I play it to escape reality. I mean, it's a fun game to play when it's raining outside, but, I myself think it's just a nice way of relaxing yourself.

 

[Aria Nook Violet]

You're not the only one I believe. I play animal crossing to find comfort to my depression. Besides having my family to support me I don't have any friends. So the digital animals are like little friends to me besides my family. I am working on getting treated so hopefully things will change in the future but I will always love animal crossing for being my comfort.

 

[Hirisa]

I can relate to this, Elin. I played the GC version of AC throughout a 2 year clinical depression where I was housebound, and could barely function. AC was my lifeline, in a way that actual people could not be (other than my husband, who helped me so much throughout this period), because the people I knew back then didn't understand depression. They thought it was a choice, and a matter of willpower, so instead of supporting me, wondered why I wasn't just "getting over it." AC was my refuge.

So no, I don't think you're alone. And I hope that if you are experiencing depression or loneliness, that you'll reach out to somebody, whether in "real life" or here online (which of course is also real life), and get the support you deserve.

 

[mayordan]

i feel like a lot of people do this
i mean..
...tiny virtual animals wont abandon you
and if they try to you can refuse.

acnl just makes me really happy when im sad
so its p handy​

 

[LostNoob]

I feel like Animal Crossing really helped me get through the first few years of secondary school, I was getting bullied every day and didn't have many friends, so having my little town with me at any time really helped me get away from all that, in fact, through Animal Crossing, I built up a small group of friends at school who were also going through the same sort of thing, shame we didn't have streetpass back then, that'd made finding these friends a lot easier.

Even now I feel like Animal Crossing freinds a great way to take my mind off things when times get tough.

 

[Shokyokudesuka]

I play it for fun, of course, but I genuinely feel that my villagers in my town care about me more than the people I know irl, and I value my villagers more than some people. I don't know. I've been found in a cupboard playing AC to escape some problems, though.

 

[marzipanmermaid]

I play it a lot to escape reality and from myself.
It's gotten to a point though where it's a horrible security blanket/crutch and four towns isn't as comforting as I hoped.
But hey, at least my villagers ask me about my day and write me dumb little letters and love me.
Least something is programmed to care, you know?

 

[Pirate]

I'm glad I'm not the only one here who feels like this! That makes me feel better! :3 It's funny really how small 3D animals can put a smile on your face so easily. I never thought I'd look at the game in this way before I bought it and NL is my first ever AC game!

I can relate to this, Elin. I played the GC version of AC throughout a 2 year clinical depression where I was housebound, and could barely function. AC was my lifeline, in a way that actual people could not be (other than my husband, who helped me so much throughout this period), because the people I knew back then didn't understand depression. They thought it was a choice, and a matter of willpower, so instead of supporting me, wondered why I wasn't just "getting over it." AC was my refuge.

So no, I don't think you're alone. And I hope that if you are experiencing depression or loneliness, that you'll reach out to somebody, whether in "real life" or here online (which of course is also real life), and get the support you deserve.

Thank you so much, that's so nice of you! I'm sorry to hear you went through that and I hope you are feeling much better now! I'm feeling more and more miserable every day but I won't really talk about that out here. Unfortunately, the only friends I have are the ones I went to school with who I haven't seen for many years and I recently tried to plan for us to meet up and hang out, but they bailed on me. I don't have a single online friend and I'm not even joking. The only contact on my Skype is my boyfriend and that's literally it! So my little villagers are my friends... ; u;

 

[Crazy-Gamer]

Haha I like chciem pie

 

[Darumy]

Games have been my other world forever, ACNL's a big one because of how personal it is. It is a very relaxing game haha, especially if you stay away from stressing about town control.


Real-life moves too fast for my sleepy sludgepile of a soul.

 

[Hypno KK]

Personally, I just play it because it's entertaining and it's only as difficult or stressful as you want to be, which comes in handy when I've had a busy or difficult day and want to do something that doesn't take a lot effort to have fun with.

I don't think what you're doing is weird or bad though. Lots of people find solace in fiction when they're going through problems. Even those that don't, lots of people have something that comforts them when things get rough, be it a comfort food, a bubble bath, or wearing clothing items they find comforting. Those things are an escape too in a way. It's not a problem if you're using it to get the strength and joy you need to face your problems and to relax, it's only a problem if you start using it as a substitute to facing your problems and using it as a way to fix them... which it obviously won't.

I don't know what's going on in your life but you ever need advice or just to talk feel free to PM me, if not me, then I'm sure lots of other users in this forum wouldn't mind hearing you out. When you're going through something difficult it helps to have someone to talk to.

 

[Big Forum User]

Even though I play it for fun, I know you aren't alone. I feel the same way. I use it to escape my problems.

 

[Lepidoptera]

Yes, to much so. I have the same problem with runefactory4 too. I play for fun to though. I consider my fake lives better then my real one.

I have trust+anxiety issues+low self esteem issues. I'm always at war with myself... Lets not even discuss my being to dependent on my friend and family members.

I also play AC because it relaxes me and pulls me out of some of my worst moods.

 

[Blondiexo]

I'm with you. Right now, I've been stressing over finding a new job, finding a house, graduating college, anxiety attacks, etc... & I found that zoning out into the game keeps my thoughts simple and relaxed.
I have to work with patients that are scared & are getting tested for serious diseases. Even though they aren't my problems, it feels personal sometimes.
Don't even get me started on how freaked out I am about getting my first house! I've lived in apartments ever since I moved out of my mom's.
So yeah, playing a mayor in a town I design seems a lot more relaxing than real life right now.

 

[Glaed]

OH man i definitely use animal crossing to escape reality. I was in a really dark place the other day, and one of my villagers sent me a mail that said something like "You doing all right? Just between us, you're one of the few people I think of as a close pal. So don't you disappoint me by moping about silly stuff, ya hear?"

it was just a silly letter from a video game character, but it really cheered me up. Plus, playing animal crossing helps distract me from all the stressful things and depression and panic attacks, and gives me something else to focus on, which i definitely need sometimes.

 

[Keyblade]

Well, ac is quite relaxing.

 

[bouncybabs]

I think you escape reality a little bit with every video game. I do like animal crossing because unlike in real life, I actually can keep friends and don't have to worry about food or school.

 

[beemayor]

I think it's perfectly okay to play AC in order to relax yourself and take a break from reality, but make sure you don't totally ignore things in the real world. I did that, with many more things than just Animal Crossing, and it had negative consequences. I've recently gotten back into ACNL because I missed the friendly comfort of the game, but I try to pace myself with it. I still play several hours a day (at least 3-4 and at most, all day), depending on what tasks/appointments/obligations I have during the day, but I'll only play in increments. I'll play for 20-30 minutes, then do something else, then come back, then do something else.

It's certainly great that you play the game to make yourself feel better (it's 100% a positive, feel good game!), but for your own sake, don't use it to run away from real world problems. Use it as a coping tool!

 

[Luna_Solara]

I'm not afraid to admit that I use AC to escape reality and clear my head a bit, no matter which version I'm playing. I struggle with "lady parts" problems and sometimes I just don't have any energy or I don't feel well or it has me moody... I have a wonderful support team, but sometimes I just want to be by myself with it. No matter what, I know that AC is there, all my villagers who are happy to see me and I can do no wrong there lol.