Animal Crossing New Horizons can add character customization op

• Posted by Clara Charlotte November 4, 2021 - Filed in Arts & Culture - 920 views

  Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues to fall short of the expectations of players of color, even after the addition of frightening new furniture, clothing items, and other items as part of the game's Halloween update. This is demonstrated by the game's failure to include a sufficient number of African-American characters. Recently added character customization options include new eye, skin, and hair options as well seasonal character customization options. All of these new options are available for use with existing characters. Using this example, it can be seen that Nintendo has failed to respond to requests from people of color for more inclusive gaming options available in the entertainment industry.
  
  Following its widespread success as a social simulation game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was recognized for its accomplishments by being awarded the Game Of The Year award at the Tokyo Game Show in recognition of its achievements. Virtual second lives, which have been created specifically for them in the virtual world, allow players to interact with adorable animal friends and participate carefree in a variety of carefree activities. The goal is to create a comfortable, enjoyable, and interactive gaming environment that allows players to enjoy themselves while they are playing.
  
  Because players of color do not see themselves represented in the game, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to complete this mission. Character customization options in New Horizons are more extensive than those in previous games, but they should be expanded even further in the future, according to the developers.
  
  In terms of overall satisfaction with the game, there are a variety of factors that influence players' perceptions of it. It is impossible to overstate the significance of color.
  
  Since the release of New Horizons in March, player feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire for more customizability options in their games. The request for assistance is not for unreasonable demands, but for assistance in the process of obtaining legal representation. Thousands of signatures have been collected on a petition in support of inclusive hairstyles, and many social media users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current situation. Despite the passage of time, many players are still dissatisfied with their inability to create an avatar that accurately reflects their own personality and characteristics.
  
  Including the customization update in the Halloween update this year almost appears to be a deliberate attempt by Nintendo to aggravate tensions in the gaming community, which is a little disappointing. Many of us have been pleading with Nintendo for more inclusion in Bipocalypse, and it appears as though they have been completely ignoring us, according to one anonymous Twitter user following the release of the trailer.
  
  A long-term enjoyment of this world and its inhabitants is intended, and the game Animal Crossing is built on the assumption that the player will become sufficiently immersed in their character to accomplish this. In the current situation, some players are finding Animal Crossing Bells more difficult to do so than others, depending on their position on the field.
  
  Yes, there are inclusive options available, but they have not yet been implemented.
  
  It is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the game that, while Animal Crossing can add character customization options on a seasonal basis, it will not respond to requests for more permanent changes to the game, despite the fact that this is a popular request. Nintendo does not appear to be prioritizing the cosmetic update that fans have been clamoring for at this time, despite the fact that the Halloween update suggests that they may be able to anticipate it in the future.
  
  Although additional work would undoubtedly be required in a subsequent update to make character customization options that are more inclusive, this writer believes that providing players with the most immersive and representative experience possible should be Nintendo's number one priority. It is possible to use tools in Animal Crossing in order to address the representation issues that have arisen; however, the game does not appear to be making effective use of these tools, which is at the very least disappointing.