Summary
While nothing has been officially announced yet, Nintendo likely has grand plans for the future of theAnimal Crossingfranchise. Not only has the series become a core part of the brand, butAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsbrought it to new heights both in terms of gameplay and profitability. That leaves the nextAnimal Crossingin a fantastic spot, and if Nintendo wants to, it could completely reinvent the franchise once more with one small change.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsmay have shaken up the franchise’s gameplay considerably, but at its core, it still maintained the look and feel of the games that came before. Although there is nothing wrong with that,the nextAnimal Crossingmay want to deviate from that so it can set itself apart from the crowd. And the best way to do that may be by simply changing the camera perspective so that players can see everything that their island has to offer.
Animal Crossing’s Entire Formula Could Change With a Perspective Switch
Animal Crossing’s Camera Limits the Game’s Creative Potential
Since its inception,Animal Crossinghas operated on a fixed camera perspective. InAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, players are able to fully customize and peruse their beautifully serene island, yet they have never been able to see it in its entirety. Each game has had players follow their characters from a north-facing camera angle, with them only being able to zoom in and out. This has giventheAnimal Crossingfranchise a distinct feel, however, it has also limited the scope of what the series can do.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsgave players immense control over their island, the likes of which the franchise has never seen before. They could customize practically everything about it, which gave players so many hours of content to enjoy. Although not perfect, it really did feel likethe dreamAnimal Crossingexperience. Yet, they could only take the customization so far as they were stuck viewing the game from the same perspective every other title had.
Players could only see the fronts of buildings, their creations from one angle, and their entire island from a north-facing camera. This meant that they had far less control over backyards and that the buildings themselves were not really fully customizable. Additionally, it meant that the islands only had so much that could be discovered, as there were hardly any secrets hiding behind objects. While that may not have affected the game that much, giving players a full 360-degree camera could have significantly changed the entire experience for the better.
Moving the Camera Would Expand Animal Crossing Considerably
It may be a massive change for the franchise, butNintendo may want to consider completelychanging the perspective for the nextAnimal Crossinggame. Giving players a 360-degree camera could go a long way in making the islands actually fully customizable, as players would have control over every object from every angle. Along with that, the islands could be spruced up considerably with the addition of caves, hidden objects, new mechanics, and a whole new feel.
The 360-degree camera would also help set the nextAnimal Crossingapart from the franchise, which could help it break outfrom underNew Horizons' shadow. That game set a new standard for the series that will be hard to match, so Nintendo may want to do something truly unique. And as long as players are still left with the option to view the game from the classic angle, even diehardAnimal Crossingfans will likely love its inclusion. So, hopefully, the developer is considering it for when this next chapter finally arrives on store shelves.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
