How do you feel about 'Insta-lands'?

[Antonio]

Oh, I'd love to see if its ok! I've only just started terraforming after like 200 hours of playing, and I'm trying to take it slowly with my own island even though its hard, since I don't want a terraformming mess. But I always love seeing pics and vids of beautiful islands!

I've been terraforming mine if you wish to see it however you are going to have ask her if you wish to see it...

 

[xxxxnatalie]

I love them! I think they're extremely cool and inspiring. I remember my first time touring one I thought to myself "wow...you can do this with this game??" because some of them just have the most incredible detail. Growing up I played both the gamecube version and city folk, and I originally wanted my new horizons island to be simple like the towns in those games. I thought that the paths were ugly and that the outdoor furniture was difficult to style. However, once I started seeing the possibilities of what can be done with teraforming on these "insta-islands" it felt like a world of possibilities was opened up for me. My goal is to create a gorgeous island while staying true to my own style. I do think that there are a lot of things that are "overdone" but I'm trying not to let that influence how I judge other people's islands, especially because there is a very limited amount of furniture right now. Also, even if a style is overdone, if it's executed well and fits the island it doesn't make it look bad in my opinion. I do think it's kind of annoying to see a lot people having all of the same villagers though. I kind of liked it better when they were randomized and trading wasn't really possible.

 

[daisyy]

I seriously howled with laughter at the OP, the writing and voice were so on point and relatable because we all know exactly what kind of island you’re talking about. It also makes me feel some type of way because I do like some popular villagers but also dislike being ‘basic’, but does that mean I just can’t enjoy what I like? I don’t know. I think every type of island has great parts about it and I think the more variety, the better! I think part of the reason that designer islands fee repetitive in general is because of the limited amount of furniture we have so far. Once we get more updates and more sets, I think we’ll see more and more different island designs and themes.

 

[Corrie]

I haven't really seen many as I haven't been part of much online play. But I remember in NL when everyone and their mom had a pink pastel kawaii town with at least beau, merengue, marshal, diana and fauna in there. It was super bland. I guess that trend still follows us to the new game, just with a new coat of paint.

 

[cloudmask]

While I do agree that there are people out there that seek out popular villagers for clout etc, I feel like the implication that liking villagers that other people like means one doesn’t have an opinion is a bit hurtful? The popularity of villagers seems to be determined by them being interesting looking or (subjectively) aesthetically appealing and sometimes people can’t help liking the same things as everyone else.

On the subject of super developed instagram/YT islands, I love watching the tours even though a lot of them aren’t my style at all!

yes, popular villagers are popular for a reason after all. it's because they are well-designed. nothing wrong with liking good character design lol

as for insta-lands, i think they're fine. those people obviously put a lot of time and effort into terraforming and decorating.

 

[Bioness]

yes, popular villagers are popular for a reason after all. it's because they are well-designed. nothing wrong with liking good character design lol

as for insta-lands, i think they're fine. those people obviously put a lot of time and effort into terraforming and decorating.

The thing about popularity is, eventually something popularity is the reason it is popular. We are social creatures after all, if we see a lot of people liking something, we are more likely to like it ourselves.

 

[Santana]

Personally not a fan of the theme that they have (overly pink and cutsey). But in the end of the day the only wrong way to play animal crossing is by not doing what you want. Plus i can respect the tremendous amount of work that went into it

 

[cloudmask]

The thing about popularity is, eventually something popularity is the reason it is popular. We are social creatures after all, if we see a lot of people liking something, we are more likely to like it ourselves.

your point is absolutely true! but how can we decide for someone else if the reason they like something is because it's popular, or because they genuinely like it? i just think it's callous to decide that people who like popular villagers have no opinions of their own and to disregard the fact that some characters really are better-designed than others.

edit: not that that is what you were suggesting, but more to the original point being responded to.

 

[tybalt_cake]

well , i think that they are really well made! sometimes i use them as inspiration to make some zones of my island!

 

[th8827]

A lot of them look cool, but also very artificial.

I aim for a more natural look for the most part.

 

[DJStarstryker]

Insta-lands. lol Yeah, I know how you feel.

My only problem with some of these islands is that they almost feel TOO full. Like they need to have this tiny area be a specific type of scene, and this area be a specific type of scene. Even ones claiming to be natural are sometimes like that.

For me personally, that's not at all what I want to do. It feels too busy and loud and not at all relaxing and chill. I am taking inspiration from certain things, but otherwise, I think my island is going to be a lot different from some of these Twitter/YouTube/Insta-famous 5-star islands.

 

[mowzies]

I don't dislike them inherently but I do feel like whenever a new idea pops up a lot of people jump on it and then I kind of get bored of it. :/
I appreciate all of the time and energy that goes into them though and as long as it makes their designer happy that's all that matters

 

[UglyMonsterFace]

I don't like taking inspiration from anyone just because I love implementing my own ideas because it makes my island feel more unique. I think those islands are very pretty but it doesn't feel like me. And I just want my island to represent my own style! Even if it's trashy and will never match up. I think all islands are very nice because it shows the tastes of each creator and even if a lot of them seem inspired by each other or are obviously time traveled or whatever, I still find each of them unique

 

[Bioness]

your point is absolutely true! but how can we decide for someone else if the reason they like something is because it's popular, or because they genuinely like it? i just think it's callous to decide that people who like popular villagers have no opinions of their own and to disregard the fact that some characters really are better-designed than others.

edit: not that that is what you were suggesting, but more to the original point being responded to.

I agree. It doesn't matter where or how they started liking a certain villager, it is still their opinion and it is no one's place to invalidate another's villagers preference.

 

[lyradelphie04]

Comparing yourself is never fun, but without those high-tier islands, you'd have nothing to work towards or dream of or get real inspiration from! I love seeing how people can terraform so incredibly well even though it has to be the most tedious part of the game.

With the all-star villagers... I just can't even with that. Why is it that everybody has the same villagers?? I love Julian, Raymond, Marshall, Zucker, etc as much as the next person. But doesn't that take away from some of the uniqueness of an island? You miss out on meeting and experiencing all the other villagers if you stick with a certain group and refuse to let them move. Yes, it's your choice to make your island yours. But I personally feel like I'm missing out if I don't try to befriend them all.

 

[Santana]

A lot of them look cool, but also very artificial.

I aim for a more natural look for the most part.

I personally am a huge of minimally terraformed islands. I think it probably has to do with the fact that in previous games you kinda just had to live with the design of your island, and that roughness makes me feel at home. I still support whatever people wanna do with their islands, as long as it makes me happy, I’m happy

 

[Braixen]

I always thought all-the-way-developed islands were neat and inspirational, but like... what do you do at that point? collect fossils and talk to villagers? It's not even 2 months after the game came out, and I don't want to be done with my island now! especially with all the super cute seasonal furniture to follow, like the ice and mushroom stuff! I've only barely developed the front of my island, but I'm okay with that.

villagers can be a little... *eye roll* especially if literally all 10 are super popular. I know I have my fair share of populars on my dreamie list, but I still have lesser-known ones as well... I genuinely looked at a list of each personalities and picked my favs. Julian's the only nostalgic one, and he just happens to be a popular. It is true that they're popular for a reason, but I seriously don't believe that someone would just *happen* to have all 10 of their favorite villagers on the S/A tier list :|

buuuut to each their own. If you wanna have Marshal, Raymond, Merengue and Ankha all on your island just because they're popular, then that's fine! I would encourage people to pick villagers they actually like, however. I think it makes it a lot more fun and personal, especially when you really like a villager that others might not like

 

[Mary]

I look at a few for island inspo, but I have to be careful or I start to hate on my own island!

 

[Skyfall]

Those islands actually blow me away! I really enjoy looking at them.

Having said that, I know I can’t achieve anything close so I don’t try. I mean, I spend a ton of time on my island and it still looks pretty dumpy. I can’t imagine the time those guys would have to spend.

But I do like looking at them! The same way I enjoy makeup videos and reading fashion magazines and seeing interviews of perfectly beautiful celebrities. You can always admire beauty.

 

[driftwoodisle]

It really depends on the island. I don't like the type of insta-islands with only mainstream villagers and the same.. bland? themes that you see in every post, but it really does depend. Its just on how you make it work.