This educational game is excellent for teaching children about the economic state of the world right now and the oppressive system of capitalism. It starts off with an excellent metaphor in which you arrive on an island, expecting to start a new life, but the island is deserted. This is a specific nod to when you open your bank account expecting to have been paid but your bank has messed up your payment and now you can’t buy a damn bubble tea from the Bongo cafe like you were looking forward to. In order to stop your island becoming a sequel to Lord of the Flies the island’s organiser decides to make like Inland Revenue and charge you for your work towards the progression of society.
You start off with two other island mates, but much like a cat or child under the age of 16 they leach off you without doing any of the work. This is yet another great example of the games’ educational value, as it primes young children for the inevitable experience of group projects. As the game continues, more and more villagers are added to this shit show of a project, as all members of the island continue to leach off you. The lesson in this is that people suck and you should never be generous.
In a recent update of the game players are encouraged to delve deeper into the world of capitalism via tourist exploits. Players design hotel rooms in whatever way they please and are compensated with small slips of paper that will only allow you to buy souvenirs and the occasional furniture, in order to spread nationalist propaganda for your island.
Perhaps one of the most important capitalism centered messages players learn through this game is that in order to get ahead in life you must cheat your way to the top. Through purchasing online access, you are able to escape the never-ending cycle of drip down economics and travel to other islands where nations have opted for socialist values instead. You can get items for free from these nations and even copious amounts of money. In true exploitative billionaire style, you can then take a private jet back to your island and pay off your debts faster than you would if you worked like a normal person.
Once again, my main qualm with this game is that it is not reaching its full educational value. If the game teaches about the politics of capitalism, I believe there is scope for other political commentary as well. While most residents on the island seem happy living under a capitalist regime that benefits them, it would be beneficial for players to learn about civil unrest via being able to stage a coup against the system. I suppose the company making money through consumerist pursuits isn’t going to like this idea though.
Extra points for the fact that the aquarium/museum in the game gained so much attention that Peta added educational content via demonstrating the right to protest.
All in all, if this was my introduction to the harsh reality of living in a capitalist society rather than working part time in hospitality, I think I would be less immune to billionaire propaganda. At the very least, the idea of being at the mercy of a furry little raccoon rather than a bunch of old white guys is far more appealing. Essentially, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that many will enjoy.
