Summary
- Nintendo responded to a fan's request about hugging villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
- Although no new content is expected for the game, future entries could introduce new interactions like hugs.
- Despite no major updates since 2021, New Horizons still offers fun and adorable villager interactions for players.
A fan of Animal Crossing: New Horizons who asked for players to be able to hug villagers has received a response from Nintendo. The popular life simulator features a variety of interactions between players and its many in-game characters.
Much like its series predecessors, Animal Crossing: New Horizons gives people the opportunity to live in a community populated by anthropomorphic animals known as villagers. Players of the 2020 Switch exclusive created by Nintendo EPD, the Japanese gaming giant's in-house development studio, can talk to residents, offer gifts, and fulfill specific requests, among other things. However, some Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans feel the title should have even more types of villager interactions.
In a recent post on Reddit, a user named SharkyAnimate revealed that they received a letter from Nintendo of America after they requested for Animal Crossing: New Horizons players to be given the ability to hug villagers. Nintendo did not outright reject the idea, which players have been asking for since the game came out, stating instead that SharkyAnimate's suggestion would be documented and considered. However, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is not expected to receive any new content in 2024 and beyond. Nintendo stopped releasing major updates for the title in 2021, and the game build has been at 2.0.6 since 2022.
All hope is not lost, however, as new interactions like hugs could be introduced in the next Animal Crossing game. While no details regarding the series' next entry have been revealed, there is a possibility that it could be a sequel to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which laid down solid foundations and became the best-selling game in the entire franchise.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Other Fun Villager Interactions
Even if it stopped receiving updates, the Animal Crossing series' latest game still features a lot of adorable villager interactions. Animal Crossing: New Horizons' villagers can do all sorts of unique things in front of the player, such as sing, fight, and exercise. Villagers will also sometimes show off their appreciation for the player by displaying the gifts that they have received or by writing a sweet letter.
In addition to interacting with villagers, players are free to do other activities in the game. For example, many spend countless hours designing their islands, like one Animal Crossing: New Horizons player who created a vacation home for Dotty, the game's fashion-loving rabbit villager. Another Animal Crossing: New Horizons player created a holiday-themed market last Christmas and shared their wonderful creation online, where it was praised by fellow fans.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
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.
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Animal Crossing
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
