A Nerd's Take - Animal Crossing 4: Wealth of Animals

Lately there's been a bit of discussion about Nintendo being lazy. Now I think this point is more than a little nonsensical because Nintendo has always had a habit of acting completely inconsiderate of fan desires and complaints. I'm not saying they don't occasionally toss the "hard-core" market a bone every now and then in the form of a Twilight Princess or Smash Bros., but there has never been any indication that their games are any less popular even when they take the cheap and easy path. After all, money has a lot to do with any company's ultimate direction.

All the same, there have been more than a few times when their releases have been way too underwhelming. New Super Mario Bros., anyone? No? Then how about Wii Music? The latest installment of the Mario Bros. series really was little more than the DS game of a few years ago put onto a new platform. Wii Music, while certainly original in concept, boils down to an hour-long experience that doesn't need to be revisited.

I think the series that typifies this pattern the most is the Animal Crossing franchise. The first game that came to domestic shelves was on the GameCube and was a completely fascinating title. In many ways, I think it was a precursor to the contemporary "casual" game phenomenon because it emphasized a different kind of play style. For once you didn't have to spend long hours trying to beat a boss or overcome any specific challenge, the point was to play and enjoy.

That's a lot of freeloaders...

The second game, Wild World for the DS, built upon many of the features in the original and overcame a few of its shortcomings. While I ultimately lost interest (after a few months) because of repetitive town events, I still think it was a general success.

City Folk, on the other hand, was a complete disappointment. Players found themselves doing everything that had been done before, the only "new" feature being an optional trek out to the City by bus. The City was simply comprised of characters and stores that had all existed before, just never in one place. All the rest of it: fishing tournaments, fireworks, flea markets, constellations, coffee, etc. I'd seen it all before!

Not exactly thrilling stuff.

I'm not saying City Folk was a bad game, but it was a missed opportunity. The important thing to remember is that this is not a death knell in the Animal Crossing series, just like Nintendo's disappointing releases have not dampened fan's interest in their games. But when Nintendo (eventually) announces a new title there will need to be changes to keep fans coming back for more!

What changes, you ask? Well, let's hit the ground running on a few of my practical and impractical suggestions for the fourth game in the AC series:

1. Economics - Land Ownership
Playing games that never end, like Animal Crossing, must to have something to keep players interested and coming back for more. In the first game, and every title thereafter, players have had to shoulder a mortgage in order to payoff and expand their own house. As slow as Animal Crossing can be, it is so rewarding to finally have a zero-balance and be debt-free! This needs to be expanded upon in future titles.

After all, why should players be limited to owning just one house? I mean, how did Nook corner the market in the first place? I want to be able to buy up residents' homes as well, only to turn around and rent them out to the other animals. Not only will it give a steady income stream, but you would also be able to foreclose on that one animal you want to see move out of town...

Ok guys, party's over. Rent was due two weeks ago.

2. Economics - Items for Sale!
If Nook owns all of the homes in town, why should he also have the only store? Players could have a direct way to earn money if they are allowed to compete with Nook in the retail world and ultimately expand to the City and, dare I say it, other players' towns as well. Of course, you could also hire animals in and around town to keep the store open. What better way is there to keep them from loafing about the village all day long?

3. Swimming
Being totally honest, this was my biggest hangup with City Folk. After all this time walking along the beach, I'm more than ready to jump in. Players could go scuba, snorkel, or even dive for clams. And if all of this is happening, why not throw in some swimming competitions?

So close to the water, yet so far away...

4. Law Enforcement
Why does it seem like Officers Cooper and Booker haven't done anything since the first game? They obviously need some help getting things done around town and keeping the riff-raff in check, that's why players should get the chance to join the local police force. Just think about it: you could walk a beat, perform investigations into alleged crimes (Is it just me, or do many of the animals seem like kleptos?), get transients and ruffians to hurry on their way through town (looking at you Redd and Lyle)...maybe even decide on sentences for offenders. Of course that would introduce a courtroom mechanic (maybe Tortimer could act as Judge).

5. Politics
Every game features Tortimer as the mayor of your sleepy town, but apparently this is a life-long appointment. No more! In the ultimate challenge of trying to win favor with all the town's residents, players would be tasked with campaigning consistently up until Election Day. And why limit the candidates to Tortimer and the players? At least one other animal should get the chance to participate as well.

Winners of the election would get to be Mayor for 3-6 months (a year seems too long for Animal Crossing, doesn't it?) and get special perks with the job, like directing other public works projects (e.g. bridge construction and property movement) and setting an acceptable tax rate to pay for it (no deficits allowed!).

Guess who's not the only game in town now?

Ok, Nintendo. This is your new directive: make an Animal Crossing game that will keep us all playing! Feel free to post any suggestions for future Nintendo titles below.