Would you have picked a different hemisphere?

[Envy]

I'd love to be in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is Winter instead of Summer. Both in-game and IRL. However, I wouldn't want to go through Christmas time in the summer. That's just wrong to me, as Christmas and its traditions are all winter-based. Before Christianity appropriated it, it was all about the Winter Solstice, and seeing as I'm not a Christian anymore, I celebrate the Winter Solstice.

So... In the Southern Hemisphere I'd be putting up Christmas decorations in June. Lol.

 

[loveclove]

I'd love to be in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is Winter instead of Summer. Both in-game and IRL. However, I wouldn't want to go through Christmas time in the summer. That's just wrong to me, as Christmas and its traditions are all winter-based. Before Christianity appropriated it, it was all about the Winter Solstice, and seeing as I'm not a Christian anymore, I celebrate the Winter Solstice.

So... In the Southern Hemisphere I'd be putting up Christmas decorations in June. Lol.

That are no Christmas decorations in june, where did you get that from?
Christmas is in December everywhere, not just in the north

 

[Unaware]

In my opinion; no.
Southern hemisphere is literally getting the exact same content that people in the Northern hemisphere are, it makes absolutely no sense to me that people are taking issue with it (I mean, I hear their reasonings but it doesn't seem justified at all).

Nintendo should have avoided this mess by not calling it a summer update, I think that's what people who are upset are really taking issue with; the wording, not the content itself
Why would you feel left out if you're getting the exact same content as everyone else? I just don't get it

They'd have a point if diving was a summer exclusive event but it's not and never has been, just seems like they need something to complain about

The problem is partially with the content, yes. We're getting it, but at the same time, it feels wrong. We get all these summer-themed things like swimming (Ah yes. Let us enjoy swimming in the middle of freezing winter. Why don't we try that IRL and see how it goes?), and it just seems like it's obviously being made with the northen hemisphere in mind (Even if it was called 'The ocean update' it would still feel weird, at least to me, because all of these are very non-wintery activities.)

But yeah, people are upset because it just seems like it doesn't fit at all. We're getting the same content, but stuff like that just kinda sours the experience to me and others.

Post automatically merged: Jun 25, 2020

That are no Christmas decorations in june, where did you get that from?
Christmas is in December everywhere, not just in the north

I think they just mean that they'd do it because christmas is a winter thing for them, haha

 

[Mistreil]

Even if the tables were turned (i.e. getting winter-themed content in the summer), I would've still chosen the hemisphere that matched me.

(Sort of re-stating something I said in the update discussion thread)
I think a lot of this problem just boils down to how Nintendo spun the update announcement: they could've just chosen to call it the July Update / Diving Update / etc. and included a few winter diving clips instead of calling it the Summer Update -- make it more generalizable and applicable to everyone. The way it's currently presented sort of shafts the southern hemisphere players, for whom it's not summer.

 

[pawpatrolbab]

The problem is partially with the content, yes. We're getting it, but at the same time, it feels wrong. We get all these summer-themed things like swimming (Ah yes. Let us enjoy swimming in the middle of freezing winter. Why don't we try that IRL and see how it goes?), and it just seems like it's obviously being made with the northen hemisphere in mind (Even if it was called 'The ocean update' it would still feel weird, at least to me, because all of these are very non-wintery activities.)

But yeah, people are upset because it just seems like it doesn't fit at all. We're getting the same content, but stuff like that just kinda sours the experience to me and others.

Post automatically merged: Jun 25, 2020

I think they just mean that they'd do it because christmas is a winter thing for them, haha

I mean, to be fair, Animal Crossing is a fantasy game, you wouldn't go out chasing Tarantulas and Scorpions, you wouldn't be catching whale sharks from the sea, and you certainly don't have anthropomorphic animals walking around your neighbourhood so I think it's unfair to compare diving of all features to how diving would be in real life - when no other aspects of the game are compared to it

 

[rezberri]

i dont get how ppl cant understand the issue with this problem, but ig most ppl dont have the same preferences as me maybe? since starting the series with acnl, i make all my saves similar to where i live irl. even tho it's technically a fantasy world, it still follows real time and plus i like where i live. i always pick a south-facing & east-facing river exit, and now with acnh, i will always pick northern hemisphere. ig im fortunate that i live in the northern hemisphere with my specific preferences.

i do think that the updates r more "biased" towards the northern hemisphere in that everything seems out of place for the southern hemisphere. u cant deny that there are aesthetics and such with each season, so its rly odd to be getting bright, pastel eggs in the mushroom season. it just doesnt make sense, but there's not much Nintendo can do bc the holiday does fall in fall (aha) for the southern hemisphere. but even then, at least non-holiday updates could still cater to both hemispheres. maybe in more northern countries, swimming in the cold is common but the southern hemisphere is decidedly not full of more northern countries (ig unless u look at a globe weird or something). sure, there are probably winter diving creatures but its still just odd.

even tho i have issues with how the updates are towards southern hemisphere players, i rly dont know how they could fix this issue. ig they could release things for both hemispheres, but as others have said technically this ocean update is for both hemispheres, but also as ive said its thematically strange for the southern hemisphere atm. but having different things added for each update for both hemispheres would show all the cards in their hand too quickly, u know? though i cant rly think of any solution for this, it still doesnt discount the fact that there is a problem. this game is about aesthetics (especially now with all these sick decorating features) so its kinda jarring for things to not match.

edit: u know what i just realized, holidays may actually be celebrated differently in both hemispheres, so would eggs for Easter even make sense for southern hemisphere players that actually live in the southern hemisphere? does any other holiday make sense the way its celebrated? if not, then ig Nintendo just gave us the option to choose the southern hemisphere without actually making it have a difference with content (tho ig that was already apparent, if the answer is no) other than the seasons.

 

[Fey]

I mean, to be fair, Animal Crossing is a fantasy game, you wouldn't go out chasing Tarantulas and Scorpions, you wouldn't be catching whale sharks from the sea, and you certainly don't have anthropomorphic animals walking around your neighbourhood so I think it's unfair to compare diving of all features to how diving would be in real life - when no other aspects of the game are compared to it

A lot of games, including Animal Crossing, follow their own version of realism. While some things might not be realistic, others definitely are.

One of these things that adheres to realism is seasonality. Following and emphasizing the seasons—doing season-appropriate activities—is a huge part of the game. Because of this, it makes perfect sense that people want to experience the content in a way that goes with their season.

Think of it this way: Let’s say Nintendo had called this a “Winter Update” instead and included a new feature that allowed players to layer heavy fur coats over their outfits. All the video for the update would show is characters strolling through the snow, bundled up with hats and scarves. For many people currently playing in summer, that wouldn’t be as enjoyable an addition than if they’d gotten it during their winter. They’d still have access to the same new content, but it would be an inferior experience.

 

[Miele]

Honestly, sometimes I do.
i absolutely love the aesthetic of fall and the fall recipes that the Southern Hemisphere has. Right now it’s in winter, I think(?), and it looks so pretty! At the same time, I am loving the updates that are targeted more to the northern hemisphere. But at the end, both hemispheres benefit from the updates so can’t be mad about it.

 

[JKDOS]

Since nothing has been locked to seasons, not even the Wedding Event, those who picked Southern Hemisphere are not locked out of any updates the North gets. Also, we all got the game in March, and we will all get the update in July.

North and South have to wait the same long for each. No one side is being catered to.

I get the impression some think the calendar is 6 months behind in the southern hemisphere. Today is June in both the Southern and Northern hemisphere

 

[Red Cat]

I don't see the big deal. Even if wetsuits were available at launch, Southern Hemisphere players wouldn't get to dive in the summer yet anyway since the game was released in late March and it was already fall in the SH by then, so summer won't roll around until December anyway. The only thing SH players have missed out on is fall diving, but NH players missed out on spring diving so I don't see that much of a difference. We're all going to have to play at least a year to experience everything; it's just that the order we experience things in is different. If you're a SH player who can't wait for summer or a NH player who can't wait for winter, there's always TTing.

 

[Marshmallows]

I live in the southern hemisphere but chose northern because I'm from the north and it lines up with the holidays. (I've never quite gotten used to fall Easter or summer Christmas.)

I do agree that everything is very northern based. While I wouldn't expect winter themed items to come out in July, I can see how southern hemisphere players feel forgotten about. They should have showcased diving with a snow background or maybe shown some of the winter creatures you can catch. The trailer is all summer summer summer. They should include both hemispheres in the trailers. Pirate Gulliver and diving honestly are the same experience in summer or winter. The content is fine, in my opinion, it's just how they label and present it.

I still wish I would have picked southern hemisphere.

 

[Etown20]

For me, part of the game's appeal is playing in real time, so I would always choose the hemisphere I lived in regardless of content. The exception would be if I had a second switch/second island, then I would do one of each.

 

[Fey]

I get the impression some think the calendar is 6 months behind in the southern hemisphere. Today is June in both the Southern and Northern hemisphere

I think people in the Southern Hemisphere know perfectly well what month they are in. The point is that their June is the start of winter, not the start of summer.

Of course everyone is getting the content at the same time. The issue for some is that while it might be the same date, it is not the same season. And that the season the Northern Hemisphere is in gets prioritized in the release schedule.

Another example: I desperately want Brewster and the Roost. I’d love to have them added as soon as possible. However, as a NH player I’d still be kinda bummed if Nintendo announced them in a July “Winter Update” which only highlights drinking hot beverages to stay warm. THIS is the experience the SH is getting. Nintendo could easily show off jumping into icy water in a winter-style diving suit alongside the footage we currently have, and call it a “July Update”, but they don’t. They only show diving in the context of summer. They refer to it as a “Summer Update”. While this might not seem like a big deal to some—probably mostly NH players—it still sends a message of exclusion.

 

[CaramelCookie]

I actually have a question for southern hemisphere-ers: Is May/June not your wedding season since it's not springy? Is it like October? Let me know!!! Edit: I mean in real life haha

I believe May is "wedding season" because of religion, the month of Mary or something like that.
At least it is so here. And even if you say "it's autumn", in the southern hemisphere (with few exceptions) it's always sunny and hot. So May, October, there's no difference weather-wise.
Right now it's 28ºC, a "winter" day.

 

[xSuperMario64x]

Tbh I was thinking of resetting cos the snow looks amazing

It does!! I time-traveled a bit to do the campsite reset method for a villager and I got to see snow in my town for a bit. It looks really nice, especially since the trees are a nice frosted color instead of that nasty grey color they used to use in the previous games.

I didn't see this as unfair at all until I started reading people's comments on here. It's not like the ability to dive is a seasonal thing; you can do it whenever you want. I guess maybe the only thing is that many people associate the ability to swim with it being warm outside. That's the only reason I could think of that might make people upset. I guarantee if they bring back a new furniture set or whatev that they'll make it available for everyone. It would be silly of them to announce that ther mermaid set is coming back and then be like "oh whoops it's Winter in the SH so yall gonna have to wait 6 months for it looool."

 

[tajikey]

The real poll should have asked whether or not players would prefer diving be limited to the summer season only, meaning Northern Hemisphere has it now, while Southern Hemisphere has something else.

And as far as complaints go, this is all I see: "Hey, Nintendo, we Southern Hemisphere players say thanks but no thanks. We would rather a large update be locked to a season so that it makes sense. I mean, we have snow on the ground! Why would our virtual character with animal neighbors ever consider jumping into frigid cold water at this time of year?!?!"

Also, what is your character wearing while it's snowing, and should shorts be available at Able Sister's right now? It's clearly too cold to be wearing them, so why sell them? Same goes for summer. I wore a pair of ski pants the other day, but it's summer on my island! The travesty, the outrage, the tomfoolery!

And no, I am not speaking from a place of privilege, I'm speaking from a place of being a fan of the game. If it were winter here, and Nintendo released diving, I'd celebrate that regardless.

 

[pawpatrolbab]

A lot of games, including Animal Crossing, follow their own version of realism. While some things might not be realistic, others definitely are.

One of these things that adheres to realism is seasonality. Following and emphasizing the seasons—doing season-appropriate activities—is a huge part of the game. Because of this, it makes perfect sense that people want to experience the content in a way that goes with their season.

Think of it this way: Let’s say Nintendo had called this a “Winter Update” instead and included a new feature that allowed players to layer heavy fur coats over their outfits. All the video for the update would show is characters strolling through the snow, bundled up with hats and scarves. For many people currently playing in summer, that wouldn’t be as enjoyable an addition than if they’d gotten it during their winter. They’d still have access to the same new content, but it would be an inferior experience.

Oh yes I 100% agree! I just think that if people are taking issue with diving now, they also should have taken issue with diving in the winter in New Leaf. But most of the people I've seen complaining never had a problem with it before. That's why I don't think the logic that "it's not realistic" makes no sense, because in Animal Crossing "realism" diving in winter has actually always been a thing since diving was introduced in New Leaf. It doesn't make sense to call it unrealistic now just because you don't like it

I've said previously that I disagree with them labelling it Summer update. Personally; I'd have no problem if they rolled out a Winter update if it was Summer where I lived; but that's just me. If diving had been a new concept I'd understand where you're coming from, but it's not and has always been equally apart of the Winter experience since New Leaf introduced it

 

[Briar]

I'm in the Northern Hemisphere, and I like the seasons in game to match the seasons I'm experiencing in real life, so I wouldn't pick differently. For the new update/trailer, the only issues I see with it are that the trailer has summer in the title and that they didn't show winter at all in the trailer. Unlike some people seem to think, I don't think diving is a particularly summer update on its own though. The reason I think that is because there are people in real life, such as haenyeo for example, who dive and harvest sea creatures and such all year, including during the winter, and in game there are different sea creatures at different times of the year. I feel like it would only be an issue if you could only go diving in game during the summer.

 

[Fey]

Oh yes I 100% agree! I just think that if people are taking issue with diving now, they also should have taken issue with diving in the winter in New Leaf. But most of the people I've seen complaining never had a problem with it before. That's why I don't think the logic that "it's not realistic" makes no sense, because in Animal Crossing "realism" diving in winter has actually always been a thing since diving was introduced in New Leaf. It doesn't make sense to call it unrealistic now just because you don't like it.

I think the big difference between now and then is that in New Leaf everybody actually did experience the seasons at the same time. In that sense, it was more acceptable for people’s real life season to not match up with the one in the game. Now with New Horizons, the game was specifically pitched as having equal representation for both parts of the world, but it seems like one is getting prioritized over the other. It’s a bit like...allowing people to choose between right- or left-handed scissors but then giving the right-handed people better materials to cut. Does that make sense? lol
Like, it’s great we have both options. But they should also both be treated equally.

 

[Marshmallows]

I actually have a question for southern hemisphere-ers: Is May/June not your wedding season since it's not springy? Is it like October? Let me know!!! Edit: I mean in real life haha

I'm in Argentina and many people have their wedding in the spring or summer, with the most popular month being November.