Animal Crossing Is Giving Our Lives Structure During These Uncertain Times

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers players a way to stay organized and keep routines, something we’re all in desperate need of right now.

You Are Reading :Animal Crossing Is Giving Our Lives Structure During These Uncertain Times

If you can’t remember what day it is, you’re not alone. Covid-19 has changed our lives in ways we couldn’t predict. Many of us have had to forgo the daily routines that gave us structure, or change our routines so drastically that nothing is familiar anymore. That’s why, in these uncertain times, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers stability to anyone who plays it.

Finding Solace in Predictability

Aside from being a cutsie life simulator, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides structure in a world where there is none. Each session begins with an announcement telling you what day it is, the time, and if there are any events going on. You know about anything that happens ahead of time and can prepare for it accordingly.

Sure, the game has little surprises here and there. For instance, no one expects to catch an oarfish when they’ve been reeling in sea bass all day, and it’s always a bit annoying when your tools break. But surprises like these don’t change your gaming experience forever.

If your tools break, you know you can always craft or buy more. Large shadows in the water are almost always the same fish you caught an innumerable amount of times before, but you keep casting your line in the hope that it’s something different. Even if it’s exactly the fish you expected, you’re assured a set amount of bells when you sell it.

Moreover, the game keeps you accountable for each day you play by giving you a bonus for accessing the Nook Stop regularly. This may feel like a chore to some, but for many, it’s part of their new routines.

Predictability is something we desperately need right now, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons happens to be the game that provides just that, and more.

Personal Growth in a Stagnant World

Another stabilizing aspect of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the ability to set personal goals. Not only do personal goals provide meaning in life, but they also serve as a way to build new routines and grow as individuals.

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, for example, you can work toward designing a sauna in your house, or play “mad botanist” to see what kind of flowers come out of crossbreeding. You can also play the stalk market and work to rival Tom Nook in net worth, or fill out as much of the museum as you can, given the season.

Whatever you choose to do, there will always be steps necessary for achieving it. Some of those steps are predetermined by the game’s developers (such as needing to wait 24 hours for something new to happen on your island), but others are set at your own discretion. These things usually lead to doing similar activities on a regular basis until your goal has been reached, which can be an incredibly gratifying experience.

Finding a Happy Place

Right now, it may feel like the bedrock of our daily lives is shifting beneath us. The only certainty we have is that nothing will be the same as it was once the Covid-19 crisis settles down. In times like these, it’s important to hold on to what gives us stability, structure, and joy.

By allowing players to work toward personal goals, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers some modicum of control in a world where many feel powerless. The daily reminders of where you are in the week and what’s coming up are like a lifeline when reality is full of unknowns. Above all, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides a happy place to escape from an unhappy world. Whether you’re a fan of the game or not, there’s no denying the benefits it offers to those seeking structure in their life.

Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-structure-stability-routine-help/