Animal Crossing City Folk: A Hardcore Player’s Diary

Mon, Nov 24, 2008

"When we first introduced Animal Crossing on the GameCube, a lot of people just didn't know what to make of it... and it was really the core gamers who first started to get it, who appreciated the depth, who ended up staying up all night trying to earn a few more Bells to pay off their mortgage. And so we think that this fall, it's going to be those same core gamers who are really going to get excited about this updated version of Animal Crossing." - Cammie Dunaway, EVP Sales and Marketing, Nintendo of America, 10/2/08

When Nintendo first suggested that Animal Crossing was a game for the hardcore, half of me -- the half that thrives on concepts like strategic dismemberment and ludicrous gibs -- wanted to cry out in agony. What, exactly, is hardcore about the image to your right?

But my better half -- that is to say, my girlfriend of five years -- understood entirely, and I through her. She's spent more time picking weeds in Animal Crossing than I spend in an average RPG, paid off more debt than I have collected coins in Mario, and picked enough digital fruit to satisfy a small country. That, my friends, is hardcore.

Quite frankly, I don't understand the game's attraction -- and I couldn't possibly review it for readers who do. But you know who can tell you what Animal Crossing: City Folk is like? My significant other... who from today on has decided to let you have a peek into her character's cutesy made-up diary.

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11/24/08

Dear Diary,

Living on my own isn’t as easy as I thought. You really have to work hard to make a living here in Lilypad. Thankfully, in this town, money grows on trees…in the form of fruit. I’ve been selling fruit to Tom Nook, but it’s not much. I’m slowly paying off my debt…slowly.My mom even sent me money, but that went to my mortgage too! Now I’m broke. I can’t sell any more fruit because I’ve sold all the fruit in town!

I wonder how long it will take for more fruit to grow.

There’s got to be another way to make money!

11/20/08

Dear Diary,

I woke up this morning refreshed and energized. I couldn’t wait to see what’s in store for me today. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do today, but then I remembered how one of my neighbors told me that the same bus that got me here, can also take me to the city. I put on my favorite shirt and headed out the door, but as I was leaving my house, I noticed my mailbox flag was up. My first piece of mail! It was from a group called the Happy Room Academy. They’re inviting me to check out their office in the city! Perfect! Even more reason to go to the city!

In no time at all, I arrived at the city. It’s so much different than Lilypad. There are so many more animals to meet and several stores to check out. Everyone is so friendly. Near the water fountain was an animal named Phineas. He gave me a free gift! It was a bubble blower. I had so much fun blowing bubbles around the city.

As I walked around the city, I found the bank where I’m supposed to send my mortgage payments. There was also a theater. I tried to get in but it cost 800 bells to get in. I couldn’t get Katrina to tell me my fortune because I didn’t have any money with me.

The money I made last night at Tom Nook’s went straight towards my mortgage.

I don’t have any bells to spend.

:::sigh:::

I’ll have to come back someday when I do have money.

Next door to the theater was the Happy Room Academy. There I met Lyle, who told me how the Happy Room Academy (or HRA) can help me decorate my house. I can’t wait to get more furniture for my place!

Speaking of furniture, the store next door, Gracie Grace, had tons of furniture for sale. They were so elegant, but man were they expensive! No wonder my neighbors kept telling me ways to make money!

The next place I checked out seems like a place that I might visit frequently -- it’s the auction house! Apparently Nook’s Cranny isn’t the only place where I can make some money; I can place items here I no longer want and try to auction them off!

The last place I checked out was probably the highlight of my day: Shampoodle. It was there I finally something I could do that doesn’t cost any bells -- a free makeover! It was fast and easy. All I had to do was browse through a “Mii Catalog” and select the model I wanted to look like. All the models were awesome looking humans! Wow! For a second I was afraid I was going to be made over into an animal! I chose the Mii model that had the same name as me, Kero. Ha! In just seconds I went from a pretty in pink hair girl to a hot brunette! I love my new look, new town, and new life!

11/19/08

Dear Diary,

Today was a new day for me -- I moved out of my parents house! I was nervous at first. I had very little money to start with and really no clue what I would be doing or where I would be going. I decided to take my chances on a town called Lilypad. The second I stepped off the bus, I couldn’t wait to see what this town had to offer.

With my map in hand, the first place I headed for was the town hall. Inside I met Pelly the pelican. Yes, a pelican. I had no idea pelicans could talk! She welcomed me and told me I should look around and see which house I would like to live in. When I found the house for me, she said, I should speak with a guy named Tom Nook regarding payment. As much as I wanted to stay and ask more questions about this town, I felt the best way to go about this is to go out and explore.

Lilypad is so beautiful. The town is full of pear trees. They must be the native fruit. The flowers are so pretty I put one in my hair =) I have to be careful with the flowers though. When I ran through town I destroyed some of them on accident. Oops!

Near the town hall was a store called Able Sisters. There, I met Sable and Mabel, the owners of the store. They’re animals too! They make all the clothing and accessories. It’s so cool! Their designs are truly one of a kind. I can’t wait to make more money to buy some of their outfits!

As I continued my walk through Lilypad, I bumped into another town resident, Chester. He’s a panda! This really isn’t your ordinary town! It’s a town full of talking animals! He’s really nice. He told me he’d like to make sweaters with me. How sweet.

I checked the four empty houses that are up for sale. They’re all almost the same. Cold and empty. The only difference is the location and roof color. After careful consideration, I chose the yellow house near the beach. I couldn’t help it! I love the beach and to have a house near it is a dream! I don’t like how bare the inside of the house is and I hate yellow roofing but I'm sure in time I can change all that.

In front of the house stood a short, pudgy raccoon wearing nothing but pants on. He said his name was Tom Nook. I guess he was the guy Pelly told me to talk to. The total cost of the house: 19,000 bells! Holy cow! He's charging everything; taxes, surcharges, “various fees”. What’s odd is that he wanted the house paid for by money transfer. He wont say why, but cash check or debit card won't work for him. What's up with that? Why do I get the feeling he's hiding something? Tom said I got to make a living in order to pay for the house. He suggested I work for him. I agreed to that. How hard can that be?

I arrived at his shop. It’s so small and looks like the place is going to fall apart. He gives me this ugly looking uniform to wear. I’m not even sure it’s been washed. The first thing he tells me is to do is to go meet everyone in town especially the mayor. Awesome! I get to meet everyone!

There’s quite a few people…er…I mean animals in Lilypad. There’s Chester (whom I’d already met), Eunice the ram, Rod the mouse, Tabby the cat, Portia the dog and Grizzly the bear. They’re all really nice and somehow knew I was coming. One thing I found interesting is that they all gave me tips on how to make money. Seems like money is a big issue in this town.

The last animal I met was the mayor, a turtle with glasses. He was at the town hall. He asked who I am and what my favorite animal is. I had a choice between a cat, a pelican, a raccoon, and a turtle. I picked turtle. He likes my answer. I wonder why?

I went back to Tom’s store. He then gave me another task. I had to plant flowers around the store to make it all nice and pretty. It was easy.

Next he had me deliver furniture to Rod. Rod was so pleased, he gave me a bird feeder as a housewarming present. He also asked me when my birthday is. Not sure why he wants to know. Maybe he wants to throw me a party!

After that, Tom asked me to write a letter to Eunice telling her about the sale Tom Nook is having. He gave me some stationary to write on, but I decided not to tell Eunice about the sale. Instead I wrote, “Tom is a gold digger.” I don’t think he even suspects! Haha!

I went to the town hall to mail the letter, and met Phyllis. She takes over the Pelly’s job at night. I don’t think she likes her job. She was a bit rude. Maybe it’s because she works late at night. She asks if i want to send a letter to someone in Lilypad or to my future self. Future self? I wonder what that's all about.

After I got back to Tom's, he was a little annoyed that it took a while to get the job done. Sheesh! Give me a break! I just moved here! He made me take some carpet to Chester. When I delivered it, Chester gave me new tiles for my house as a gift!

I arrived back at Tom’s store thinking I was done, but I was wrong. He gave me a watering can to give to Eunice. Tired, I still put a smile on my face and walked over to Eunice’s. When I gave her the watering can, she showed me the letter I sent her. Wow! Mail here in Lilypad is fast! She loves the letter and wants to show it to everyone. Oh boy...

The last think Tom made me do is write an ad on the bulletin board near town hall. Man, I hope I get a lot of bells for this job. I decided to write this, "Nook's Cranny: it's just like Wal-Mart...in every single way."

Finally I’m done! I made 1,400 bells. Did I get to keep it? No! It went straight to my mortgage! Ugh. Oh well. He said that now I’m done working for him the best way to get money is to sell stuff. When I want to pay my loan, I have to send him money by wire from the ABD in the town hall.... whatever that is. He said that once it's paid off I can renovate my house.

It had gotten so late that I decided to go back to my new house. Inside I turned on the lamp and placed the new items I got from the neighbors in my house. It’s not much, but it's a start.

Right now, I'm upstairs, ready to fall asleep in my new bed and "remember everything I did today."

Check back tomorrow for more!