Why are Time Travelers frowned upon?..

[........]

I think it largely depends on why the person chose to time travel in the first place. Unnecessary impatience and item/bell exploit of the internal clock feature are the two things most people really frown upon. It can be justifiable, I think, but only in particular situations where you couldn't otherwise wait to be rewarded.

I don't agree with time traveling forward a day to finish a public work project, as that's absolutely just impatience. It's giving you an advantage over players who otherwise would not have been rewarded yet. The game doesn't ask you to wait a day for a bench to be built or a week for a shop to open just for you to fiddle with the clock and get instant gratification, it makes no sense and it is deliberately going against the system and storyline provided.

It isn't even debatable that that is indeed taking advantage of the internal clock tool. It's whether or not that is a bad thing that starts discussion like this.

I don't think it is necessarily "cheating"(at least, not on a big scale) unless you're skipping months at a time for bells or exclusive items, but it definitely shows impatience if you get a lot of time to play during the day as it is. It's frustrating to those who wait because it shows an inability to walk around, see what's going on, just be in your own little synced world and have a nice time -- all of that is a huge part of enjoying an Animal Crossing game to the majority of loyal players.

That being said, no one should have to be made to feel guilty for trying to enjoy the game with a full-time job, kids, demanding school, etc. It's just not realistic that they are going to make good progress in the game without at least some time travel here and there, so it makes sense to alter the time to fit their real-life schedule.

I just don't think it makes sense to rush a game like Animal Crossing only because you can. I believe there's a definite line between "playstyle" and just wanting instant gratification, and how people look at your time traveling depends which side you sit on.

They don't have an advantage over anyone. The people who wait are more than able to time travel if they want.

 

[Rose]

You're speaking as if there's only one true way to play the game.
That is entirely opinionated.

Also, you refer to other "true" players being frustrated when others time travel to exploit certain items/events/bells when honestly, how does that affect you? It's not game-breaking as far as I know.

"It's giving you an advantage over players who otherwise would not have been rewarded yet."

That statement implies that you view Animal Crossing as competition of sorts.. How so?
It's a single player game with multiplayer capabilities.
Now, if it was entirely dependent on multiplayer, then I would understand your frustrations.
But it's a bit asinine to get angry at someone for simply playing the game as they wish.

There's no doubt that the intended nature of the game is to play in real-time and experience the world of Animal Crossing day by day.. But the key word there is "intended".. It's not a fact. It's not required. It's not cheating or breaking any rules.

It's completely up to the player to decide how they wish to play.
And I believe that no matter what their decision may be, they shouldn't be looked down upon or disregarded as a "true" player.

Who are we to judge someone on how they play a game?
We're all just here to enjoy the game as we see fit and as long as it doesn't directly decimate the experience for other players, then I personally see no problem.

I don't see where I referred to non-time travelers as being "true" players, neither did I state that I was personally "frustrated" with whatever anyone chooses to do with their game. I only said that my opinion was that the games didn't need to be rushed to be enjoyed and therefore I wouldn't choose to do it in my game. I didn't say that was the only or right way for them to be enjoyed at all.

I have no problem with time traveling, I was an avid time traveler on GC and in WW and I had a wonderful time with the freedom it provided. I was simply answering your question in the thread title, the reasons I spoke of are essentially why it is frowned upon.

I didn't state Animal Crossing was a competition, either, and I'm having trouble seeing how you interpreted my post as implying anything of the sort. I said I don't agree with hurrying the game unnecessarily, and so I won't be doing that, but that doesn't mean you or anyone else can't do it.

"There's no doubt that the intended nature of the game is to play in real-time and experience the world of Animal Crossing day by day.. But the key word there is "intended".. It's not a fact. It's not required. It's not cheating or breaking any rules."

If the game asks you specifically to wait a day and you choose to skip, you aren't playing the way the developers anticipated you would. It is an issue with some people relating to the core integrity of the game and how it asks the player to be patient only for them to use time travel as a loophole. It is, essentially, just a way to get out of waiting, which they wanted you to do.

I have no issue with time travel or the people that choose to do it. I posted mainly in agreement that it wasn't a big deal as I pointed out what people perceive to be its main issues, and still, somehow I'm being responded to like I'm on the opposite side of the argument.

 

[StiX]

I don't have anything against time travelers! I understand if you want to catch up or do stuff that you have missed! But I wouldn't do that personally, I always played Animal Crossing the official way, back in the day (lol) when I was playing wild world I didn't even think of time traveling, I didn't even have a internet connection XD so when I found out what people did I eventually started doing it in wild world after almost 2 years and it ruined the game for me (again, personally).

So that's why I don't have anything against it, but I still feel a bit sad that not many people can experience the day to day life experience! I'm busy with work and school but even if i get to play 10 minutes a day or even have to miss days, I love the way how villagers say they have missed you and wonder where you were! Even if "ugly" villagers move in, I'll try to love em, and if I still hate them they are the first on my list to move! XD

I understand though, and I have nothing against TT'ers, I don't like cheaters and people who use exploits! I'm so glad that there's no cheat device for the 3DS yet! (?) Again, people should play the way they want, even if they want to cheat, AC has a online community so let people know if you gained a item through cheating or a exploit! >_<

gaining stuff through TT-ing I don't mind though XD

sorry if my post is a bit confusing but it's 4AM right now ;_;


ps. The Last of Us was EPIC!

 

[VonTreece]

I don't see where I referred to non-time travelers as being "true" players, neither did I state that I was personally "frustrated" with whatever anyone chooses to do with their game. I only said that my opinion was that the games didn't need to be rushed to be enjoyed and therefore I wouldn't choose to do it in my game. I didn't say that was the only or right way for them to be enjoyed at all.

I have no problem with time traveling, I was an avid time traveler on GC and in WW and I had a wonderful time with the freedom it provided. I was simply answering your question in the thread title, the reasons I spoke of are essentially why it is frowned upon.

I didn't state Animal Crossing was a competition, either, and I'm having trouble seeing how you interpreted my post as implying anything of the sort. I said I don't agree with hurrying the game unnecessarily, and so I won't be doing that, but that doesn't mean you or anyone else can't do it.

"There's no doubt that the intended nature of the game is to play in real-time and experience the world of Animal Crossing day by day.. But the key word there is "intended".. It's not a fact. It's not required. It's not cheating or breaking any rules."

If the game asks you specifically to wait a day and you choose to skip, you aren't playing the way the developers anticipated you would. It is an issue with some people relating to the core integrity of the game and how it asks the player to be patient only for them to use time travel as a loophole. It is, essentially, just a way to get out of waiting, which they wanted you to do.

I have no issue with time travel or the people that choose to do it. I posted mainly in agreement that it wasn't a big deal as I pointed out what people perceive to be its main issues, and still, somehow I'm being responded to like I'm on the opposite side of the argument.

-----------

"It's frustrating to those who wait because it shows an inability to walk around, see what's going on, just be in your own little synced world and have a nice time -- all of that is a huge part of enjoying an Animal Crossing game to the majority of loyal players."

"I don't see where I referred to non-time travelers as being "true" players, neither did I state that I was personally "frustrated" with whatever anyone chooses to do with their game."

^^

"It's giving you an advantage over players who otherwise would not have been rewarded yet.

The definition of "advantage" is "A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position."
We all have the ability to time travel. So there is no direct advantage.
You have the same capabilities and options as any other player.
And like I said, the game is a single player game with multiplayer capabilities. How can you have an advantage over another player when there's nothing to be won? They may acquire things sooner, but it doesn't mean they've "won" or "beaten" you at anything. It's not a competition.

I believe there's a definite line between "playstyle" and just wanting instant gratification

What if instant gratification is their chosen play-style?.. Is that so wrong?
I understand that it may take away from the spirit of the game, but it's up to the player to decide what they feel is the right way to play.

If the game asks you specifically to wait a day and you choose to skip, you aren't playing the way the developers anticipated you would.

And? Is there a problem with that?
You could also say that they added in the time change feature because they anticipated that players may want to have a speedier game play..
It's there to match the pace of the player. Maybe their play-style is to rush through and perfect their town as fast as they can. Who are you to say that it isn't right?
I am well aware of how the game is intended to be played.. But it's intended - not demanded. And a time traveler is no less of a player than a non-time traveler.

The feature is there to give us freedom to do as we wish to how we see fit.

All of what i've stated aside, I do see where you're coming from, and I respect that we all have our own opinions.
I apologize if it seems like i've tried to force anything on you. I've just simply been stating my views.

Thank you for the input thus far! It's interesting to hear everyone's opinion.

 

[Farobi]

We should make a poll on who TTs or who doesn't in my opinion. 8)

 

[Lemons]

I don't TT, I won't do it, but I couldn't care less if people time travel as long as they don't use that "advantage" online. Do whatever you want offline, it doesn't hurt me and it's your game. It hurts me, however, seeing people selling or trading items that couldn't be acquired without TT just for a few more bells/easy trades. That can be considered cheating.

I must correct some people, however, that TT wasn't ADDED, and it's not a FEATURE. And I have my doubts that Nintendo could've stopped it if they wanted. It's not like the 3DS is connected 24/7 to the internet. I don't know how or if they could stop TT, but it doesn't sound easy, viable or even worth it.
It's not because it's there, that it's ok and expected to be used. They just know there are people playing like that around and didn't bother doing anything about it. However, it is not a feature. It was not added to the game. It's just possible.

Just the way I see it. If you TT, then I don't think you should try to justify yourself...yes, you're "playing it wrong", since you're not playing as expected...the question is, do you care?

 

[Duke]

I only Time Travel for when I miss important events. I frown upon it when people jump over a few weeks time because lots of weeds will start to accumulate and villagers will start moving away. Honestly though, it's up to the player - why should I care?

 

[VonTreece]

And I have my doubts that Nintendo could've stopped it if they wanted. It's not like the 3DS is connected 24/7 to the internet.

It's incredibly easy. If they wanted to, they could.

All they'd have to do is make it so every time they connect their 3DS to the internet, it automatically updates the time according to their timezone.

And it would stop people from TTing because if/when they connect to the internet, it would jump them back to the actual day, thus reseting their progress gained from time traveling entirely.

So time traveling would still be possible, but unless they want to lose progress, those that TT wouldn't be able to ever play online..

So yes, they could stop it if they wanted to.

Everything really just comes down to preference of the player though.
I'm fine with whatever.
What annoys me is when others look down on time travelers for simply playing the game as they see fit.

 

[Beanie]

I don't TT, I won't do it, but I couldn't care less if people time travel as long as they don't use that "advantage" online. Do whatever you want offline, it doesn't hurt me and it's your game. It hurts me, however, seeing people selling or trading items that couldn't be acquired without TT just for a few more bells/easy trades. That can be considered cheating.

I must correct some people, however, that TT wasn't ADDED, and it's not a FEATURE. And I have my doubts that Nintendo could've stopped it if they wanted. It's not like the 3DS is connected 24/7 to the internet. I don't know how or if they could stop TT, but it doesn't sound easy, viable or even worth it.
It's not because it's there, that it's ok and expected to be used. They just know there are people playing like that around and didn't bother doing anything about it. However, it is not a feature. It was not added to the game. It's just possible.

Just the way I see it. If you TT, then I don't think you should try to justify yourself...yes, you're "playing it wrong", since you're not playing as expected...the question is, do you care?

Wait I don't understand the part where you say it's not added to the game? You change the time from Isabelle in the main menus so I suppose it is considered in the game imo. Whether or not they intended people to TT months ahead, I don't know. Also I see selling seasonal items almost like people selling exclusive DLCs. At least seasonal items can be acquired eventually.

 

[Meltd0wn]

I see nothing wrong with time travelers, just like I have never seen anything wrong with game enhancers or hackers. If it lets you enjoy the game, and it doesn't hurt anyone else or anyone else' games, then there is nothing wrong with it, and people who complain are just haters and shouldn't be listened to anyway.

In my "Barrens" town I plan to do a lot of random TT and the main reason is because I want to fill my town with weeds and tick off all the neighbors, since my ultimate goal in that town is to get a 0 approval rating. My TT in that town will in no way affect my other town, nor will it ever affect any visitors or any town I visit so I could care less what anyone else thinks about the practice.

Just like I used to hack my festival town in AC:WW for major parties for each holiday season and those who complained about what I did simply weren't invited to the week long festivals I held. LOL

Bottom Line, DON'T worry about what others think or say about how you enjoy your game. If they don't like it, that's their problem, not yours. Continue to have fun with your game.


OH and if I can track down the quote I will post a link to it, but back in the original game Nintendo execs mentioned the reason for allowing the ability to change the time in the game. They knew that nobody would be able to play the game 24/7 and due to real life situations sometimes people would not be able to play during specific game events, so being able to change time allowed all players access to all events in the game.

 

[VonTreece]

I see nothing wrong with time travelers, just like I have never seen anything wrong with game enhancers or hackers. If it lets you enjoy the game, and it doesn't hurt anyone else or anyone else' games, then there is nothing wrong with it, and people who complain are just haters and shouldn't be listened to anyway.

In my "Barrens" town I plan to do a lot of random TT and the main reason is because I want to fill my town with weeds and tick off all the neighbors, since my ultimate goal in that town is to get a 0 approval rating. My TT in that town will in no way affect my other town, nor will it ever affect any visitors or any town I visit so I could care less what anyone else thinks about the practice.

Just like I used to hack my festival town in AC:WW for major parties for each holiday season and those who complained about what I did simply weren't invited to the week long festivals I held. LOL

Bottom Line, DON'T worry about what others think or say about how you enjoy your game. If they don't like it, that's their problem, not yours. Continue to have fun with your game.

I love you.

Just kidding.

..But really.

(lol)

On a serious note though, I agree completely. Enjoy the game as you see fit!

 

[bootie101]

I'm proud to time travel.. I don't do it constantly but recently I had an issue with my 3DS and cause i had the digital version I was scared to loose my save.. My retail version is on its way so when it comes i'm going to make up for the weeks i wasted on the other town. then ill play normally. Even though i have been playing my Japanese copy since Feb I was late getting the american version and then had to restart.

I had some little **** on another forum tell me it was cheating.. ummmm i'm an adult and ill play the way I want to. having a child tell me what to do pffft stay in school kid

 

[Meltd0wn]

I must correct some people, however, that TT wasn't ADDED, and it's not a FEATURE. And I have my doubts that Nintendo could've stopped it if they wanted. It's not like the 3DS is connected 24/7 to the internet. I don't know how or if they could stop TT, but it doesn't sound easy, viable or even worth it.
It's not because it's there, that it's ok and expected to be used. They just know there are people playing like that around and didn't bother doing anything about it. However, it is not a feature. It was not added to the game. It's just possible.

Just the way I see it. If you TT, then I don't think you should try to justify yourself...yes, you're "playing it wrong", since you're not playing as expected...the question is, do you care?

Actually it is a feature, and it has been included since the Gamecube version, The fact that you have the option each time you start the game to change the time in the game is proof it is a 'feature' that was purposely included in the game. and as I mentioned in a previous post, Nintendo specifically stated it was included so that all players would have equal access to all events within the game, since they knew that it was an impossibility for anyone to play their game 24/7. So PLEASE don't try to vilify others simply because they do not share your specific view of how to enjoy playing a game.

 

[kittenrobotarmy]

See, this is why I want to make a TT Community. We could all share stories, chat, and go to each other's unique towns. This way everyone is happy and no one is saying TTing is bad.

I'm frankly just tired of people saying that TTing is ruining your game. No, it isn't. Not if you know the facts of TTing altogether.

@Lemons: It's pretty disrespectful to say TTers are playing the game wrong. Animal Crossing was never meant to played in one way. Like some others, you're talking as if there is only one way to play. Some people enjoy time traveling, like me. Others do it for missed events. If TTing didn't exist, half the people who play AC wouldn't exist either. Me and all TTers have our ways, you have yours. We respect you, you should respect us. Does it matter if we TT? Are we any different from the rest of Animal Crossing fans?

 

[Lemons]

It's incredibly easy. If they wanted to, they could.

All they'd have to do is make it so every time they connect their 3DS to the internet, it automatically updates the time according to their timezone.

And it would stop people from TTing because if/when they connect to the internet, it would jump them back to the actual day, thus reseting their progress gained from time traveling entirely.

So time traveling would still be possible, but unless they want to lose progress, those that TT wouldn't be able to ever play online..

So yes, they could stop it if they wanted to.

Everything really just comes down to preference of the player though.
I'm fine with whatever.
What annoys me is when others look down on time travelers for simply playing the game as they see fit.

But would it be worth it for them? I don't know how it works exactly, but that would probably require extra work and/or space in the game just to forbid people to do something that doesn't really bother that many people. Plus, they don't even correct most glitches! I'm just saying that it's not because Nintendo didn't forbid that it's considered another nice, intended way to be played.

Wait I don't understand the part where you say it's not added to the game? You change the time from Isabelle in the main menus so I suppose it is considered in the game imo. Whether or not they intended people to TT months ahead, I don't know. Also I see selling seasonal items almost like people selling exclusive DLCs. At least seasonal items can be acquired eventually.

Wait, so you can change ACNL time in-game and have no problem if it doesn't match the 3DS clock? That I didn't know, sorry for my mistake.
I still can't think of TT as a feature, though. It isn't encouraged in any way...

Oh, about the seasonal items: they are more valuable than most other items, so if you're selling them ahead of time for a higher price, and you got them easily through TT you're still taking advantage of it. I can't say it RUINS or breaks the game, but it still takes some of the fun of waiting for the season and playing "as it should be played"...well, as I'm saying, just my opinion!

 

[heatran]

I time travel as well, but only either a few hours to get mail after ordering from T&T...
or if I'm building a PWP, if I want it badly, I'll TT, but I'm usually all, "eh, I can wait. It's not that important"
The most I've time traveled was about a week, but it was because I wanted to pay off my house ASAP so I could get to furnishing it as I pleased.

 

[RisingSun]

Honestly, if it doesn't make you bored of your game, then by all means, go ahead and TT. For me, time travel would not give me the satisfaction I have with playing the game in real-time. The fact that there is no commercial that says that time travel is a feature (nor will you find it on the official website) leads me to believe that Nintendo intended for this game to be played real-time. As long as you do not mess with my town, do what you like to yours.

I do have a problem with the hackers. I am glad this is not a problem yet with the 3ds. My CF town was ruined in mind because a hacker visited my town, and hacked DLC started showing up in my shops. This bothered me, because that hacking was then on my save file.

 

[Beanie]

But would it be worth it for them? I don't know how it works exactly, but that would probably require extra work and/or space in the game just to forbid people to do something that doesn't really bother that many people. Plus, they don't even correct most glitches! I'm just saying that it's not because Nintendo didn't forbid that it's considered another nice, intended way to be played.



Wait, so you can change ACNL time in-game and have no problem if it doesn't match the 3DS clock? That I didn't know, sorry for my mistake.
I still can't think of TT as a feature, though. It isn't encouraged in any way...

Oh, about the seasonal items: they are more valuable than most other items, so if you're selling them ahead of time for a higher price, and you got them easily through TT you're still taking advantage of it. I can't say it RUINS or breaks the game, but it still takes some of the fun of waiting for the season and playing "as it should be played"...well, as I'm saying, just my opinion!

Well that's not entirely true :/ I think prices are pretty fair. You can catalog harvest series from 60-100k and same goes with other re-orderable sets like spooky and jingle. As for Gracie it's 3mill-4mill a set only because it costs 1.5mill alone to buy a whole set in stores and it's not re-orderable. Compared to some prices for exclusive DLCs though I would say selling Japanese/Korean un-reorderable exclusives are more of a rip off than TTing seasonals.

Believe it or not a lot of seasonal items take a lot of time. I took me 5 hours some to get a full pave set, and TT'd a month to get harvest and jingle and spooky pieces, and the ice set is not re-orderable and it also takes an hour or so of hunting snowflakes and creating perfect snowman. Easter egg series requires running around looking for eggs and that can take up to a few hours also. A lot of it is also hard work.

 

[VonTreece]

But would it be worth it for them? I don't know how it works exactly, but that would probably require extra work and/or space in the game just to forbid people to do something that doesn't really bother that many people. Plus, they don't even correct most glitches! I'm just saying that it's not because Nintendo didn't forbid that it's considered another nice, intended way to be played.

It would be a very minor update.
All it requires is a region detector along with automatic DST detection which would literally take the developers maybe a day or two at most to implement.

 

[kittenrobotarmy]

Nowadays, hackers are the new TTers. But if it makes them happy in their own town, I have no problem with it. If they hacked my town, though, I would blow up in rage. So, basically, TTers are much better, considering they can't TT your town's time. It's simply a style of play. Hacking is a whole new kind of bad if you do it on other towns.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Nowadays, hackers are the new TTers. But if it makes them happy in their own town, I have no problem with it. If they hacked my town, though, I would blow up in rage. So, basically, TTers are much better, considering they can't TT your town's time. It's simply a style of play. Hacking is a whole new kind of bad if you do it on other towns.