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Animal Crossing Is a Millennial American Dream Simulation
With a new update to the video game, young people have even more of an excuse to seek out escapism during the pandemic
Animal Crossing: New Horizons couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The nostalgic, life simulation game came out in March, just as we were starting to hunker down in our homes. A colorful digital world, filled with ripe fruits and adorable pudgy animals, the video game was the perfect antidote to the fears and uncertainty wrapped up in a global pandemic. Millions of people escaped into the Animal Crossing world, with 13.41 million copies of the game sold within the first six weeks of its launch. With its latest update landing on July 3, new features to the Nintendo Switch game add to what many are longing for this summer: the ability to hit the beach and swim in pristine waters.
In Animal Crossing, you are in control of your virtual life; you explore, build your dream home, and create your community. Gameplay is soothingly domestic and simple. The graphics are bright and warm, and flowers perpetually sway in a relaxing breeze. Money even grows on trees. Paying off your home mortgage is as easy as picking fruit and catching butterflies, and trading those in for cash.
