Animal Crossing has ballooned into one of the most beloved and relevant video game franchises of all time. Its laid-back gameplay, charming aesthetic, and addictive, real-time gameplay loop makes it an easy sell for just about anyone, especially those who look at games as a way to relax rather than overcome some major challenge. Having said that, rumors suggest that the next Animal Crossing could take a markedly different approach, taking the series in a radical new direction.
Aside from speculation that the next Animal Crossing game will launch on the Nintendo Switch successor, which seems reasonable, some rumors have surfaced about a new sort of setting for the series. This seems to stem from Twitter user Nash Weedle, who made a post in March 2024 claiming that the next Animal Crossing will take place in an urban environment, complete with skyscrapers and driveable vehicles. Naturally, this is only a rumor and should be taken with a healthy grain of salt, but it does raise interesting questions about the future of Animal Crossing. The series has always favored quaint, small-town life, so a trip to the city would make for significant transformations, going far beyond mere aesthetic or level design differences.
A City-Based Animal Crossing Could Mean Different In-Game Businesses
Animal Crossing’s Shops Are Tied to Real-World Hours of Operation
Something that has long frustrated dedicated Animal Crossing fans is the limited access granted to in-game businesses. Shops like Able Sisters and Nook’s Cranny are only open until 9PM and 10PM, respectively, to adhere to Animal Crossing‘s unique real-time premise.
Of course, there’s good reason for this. Animal Crossing is meant to provide a sort of virtual community, tethered to the restraints of the real-world clock, which sets it apart from other cozy games like Stardew Valley, which exist on their own timeline and therefore provide a very different sort of gameplay loop. If anything, it’s strange that stores in such a small community with a limited pool of customers would be open as late as 10PM.
At the same time, it can feel unnecessarily restrictive for players who want to play later in the evening or early in the morning. Someone with an adjusted schedule or limited time during the day may find it difficult to access these key in-game locations, impeding their progress and making their experience with the game more cumbersome than it needs to be. But given the prospect of a more urban-themed Animal Crossing setting, the next entry in the series could remedy this issue.
Technically, this hurdle can be overcome by “time-traveling,” AKA manipulating the clock of the game console to have more control over the game world. But this comes with its own set of issues, like halting internet access, and such a workaround shouldn’t be the only option.
An Urban Animal Crossing Comes with Unique Business Opportunities
There’s at least one concept that would have a lot of potential in a city-based Animal Crossing game: nightlife. There are myriad possibilities for cute and charming clubs or late-night cafés and restaurants, which would make sense in a more urban environment. The next Animal Crossing could even have certain businesses that are only open at night, granting nocturnal players with a fun reward for playing the game at a non-traditional time. A black-market furniture shop, greasy all-night pizzeria, or secret meeting hall are all possible establishments that could work in a city-based Animal Crossing game, that would feel awkward or out-of-place in previous titles.
At its core, Animal Crossing is a wholesome, all-ages game, so spots like proper nightclubs and bars are probably out of the question, though Nintendo could perhaps find a family-friendly spin on these ideas. No doubt, a city would mark a massive change in the Animal Crossing formula and identity, but it could be worth it, especially if it leads to novel gameplay or exploration opportunities.
