One of the best aspects of video games is how they can bring people together, whether it be physically, emotionally, or virtually. When times are challenging and many of us are apart from the ones we care about, video games become even more of a vital resource for connecting with others and finding respite during said challenges. The Animal Crossing series has always catered to shared-play, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons had made it easier than ever to connect and play with others.
One of humanity’s best traits is our creativity and desire to connect with others, and New Horizons acts as the perfect platform for both of these endeavors, allowing players to not only share their islands with their friends, but with the entire world through social media. And it’s time to pay tribute to all those New Horizons players who have gone above and beyond to make the world a happier place.
10 Virtual Birthday Parties
Because Animal Crossing takes place in real-time, Birthday celebrations have always been an exciting part of the series, and New Horizons is no exception.
Not only does the player receive a surprise party thrown by their villagers (complete with presents and a piñata), but many players have taken to throwing their own Birthday party by inviting friends to their island. Great Birthday activities include treasure hunts, net tag, fishing contests, and lots of party poppers. Just remember to be polite when visiting!
9 Talk Shows
Could the developers of Animal Crossing: New Horizons ever have predicated that their game would be used as a talk show platform that hosted legendary musician Sting?
English writer and producer Gary Whitta now hosts a talk show within the game itself, having his own virtual studio complete with lighting and sound equipment. Whitta has interviewed celebrities such as Felicia Day, Elijah Wood, and Danny Trejo on his show, with its second season dropping in June.
8 TV Show Re-enactments
One of the biggest hidden gems of New Horizons is undoubtedly Harvey’s Island, a photographer who allows players to decorate with any furniture, clothing, and villagers they have (or have amiibos for.) Not only can this be used for adorable and epic photoshoots, but players have begun o recreate entire scenes from TV shows and movies using Harv’s Island, to hilarious results.
YouTuber dclemente’s stunningly-detailed recreation of a scene from TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, in which Detective Jake Peralta requests a lineup of suspects to sing Backstreet Boy’s “I Want It That Way”.
7 Tiny Cosplay Conventions
From a patch of grass to the Island flag, almost everything in New Horizons is customizable, allowing for activities that celebrate creativity and craft-skills: Cosplay and Conventions.
Because of the amazing creativity of fans, hundreds of custom-designed outfits of video game, anime, and television characters are free for any player with access to the Custom Design Kiosk to use. Although any convention can only hold up to 8 people at a time, it’s undeniably fun to dress up as a character from Sailor Moon, especially without having to make or buy a costume.
6 Making Music Videos
YouTuber Mako Ray’s recreation of Toto’s song “Africa” proves just how much the world needed a villager band. The video features 8 players, all on different instruments, and the song is composed entirely of the actual sounds that New Horizons instruments make, from the shake of the tambourine to the blowing of the saxophone.
Considering the amount of arrangement and pitch-correction this took, Mako Ray’s masterpiece definitely deserves more views.
5 Fashion Shows
Wearing amazing outfits has never been easier in Animal Crossing, and non-gamers have started to notice New Horizons’ potential. Berlin-based fashion organization Reference Festival released a YouTube video showcasing the collaboration between stylist Marc Goehring and photographer Kara Chung, Animal Crossing style.
The video not only emulates a real-life fashion show, but shows off some fabulous outfits while doing it. Hopefully, the creator codes for these outfits will be released to the public!
4 Wedding Ceremonies
With Animal Crossing sweeping through popular culture like never before, a heartwarming amount of weddings have taken place in Animal Crossing, one of the first being this Reddit user and their fiancé. The couple’s friends organized a surprise wedding for them due to their real-life wedding having to be cancelled.
From the beautiful flowers to being surrounded by loving friends, this moment is absolutely heartwarming. When looking closely, the couple’s initials can even be seen written on the custom wedding carpet.
3 Memorial Spaces
Animal Crossing has been used to celebrate happiness by many, but some choose to tackle the more saddening emotions that affect many of us during difficult times. Several players have used New Horizon’s detailed crafting and landscaping features to create memorial shrines and cemeteries to honor the loved ones they have lost.
Being able to create an interactive space helps people deal with the complicated emotions surrounding grief. The picture seen above is one player’s tribute to a grandparent lost to COVID-19, the only tribute possible when regular funerals cannot take place.
2 Celebrating Eid
Considering several weddings have already taken place in Animal Crossing, it’s no surprise to see players using the game to celebrate other significant festivities and holidays. Muslim Gamers have been using Animal Crossing: New Horizons to celebrate Eid, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”.
After the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan, Eid al-fitr celebration often include prayers, gift-giving, visiting loved ones, and wearing traditional or special clothes, all of which Animal Crossing can virtually achieve. Everyone deserves to celebrate the moments with their loved ones, and Animal Crossing is an endearing way to do it.
1 Marriage Proposals
There are few moments more joyful than proposals: the genuine expression of love, the vulnerability and trust, and the promise of a lifetime spent together. This adorable proposal is proof that even when life throws roadblocks in our way, it is still possible to find joy and make the best of the situation.
Proposee Hannah had expressed the wish of being proposed to during the cherry blossom season, and since Animal Crossing celebrates the cherry blossom season, it was deemed the “cutest compromise”. All the best to this couple’s blossoming love!
NEXT: Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 10 Ways to Make the Most Out Of Your Friend’s Island Visit
