Ex-Taylorian stays connected through 'Animal Crossing'

By Merissa Alyea Binti Omar Ariff

It has been over a year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, however the alarming number of active cases in Malaysia have forced families and friends to continue to be apart for an indefinite amount of time. Thankfully, with the latest technological advancements it helps everyone to stay connected.

Nintendo’s release of its latest console known as the ‘Nintendo Switch’ could not have been released at a better time.

Nintendo’s latest console focuses on interactive gaming, by designing games that imitate real life stimulation such as ‘Animal Crossing’.

When the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic first took the world by storm, ‘Animal Crossing’ was perfect for the isolating ambiance the pandemic had brought upon people worldwide.

The best selling game of 2020 stimulated real life interactions by allowing users to connect and do fun activities together on their respective virtual islands such as gardening, catching bugs, fishing or even just casually hanging out.

Fast forward to today, the hype surrounding ‘Animal Crossing’ is still ongoing.

Even though COVID-19 restrictions have eased in many countries, there are still numerous students studying abroad who are still unable to come home due to their own country COVID-19 restrictions.

Hence, finding solace in ‘Animal Crossing’ to stay connected with their loved ones back home.

“I haven’t been back home since December 2019.I have not been able to see my family and friends, and they have not been able to come and visit me here in the United Kingdom due to Malaysia’s travel restrictions,” said Syaza Katrina 22-year-old ex student from Taylor’s University, who is currently completing her final year in Business Administration at The University Of Bristol.

Syaza decided to invest in a Nintendo Switch console and give in to the hype that surrounds ‘Animal Crossing’.

“I really did not want to give into the trend at first and did not really believe that it could help me feel better about my situation. However, being away from my loved ones was really getting to me;I figured it was better than nothing,” said Syaza.

To Syaza’s surprise, ‘Animal Crossing’ had tremendously exceeded her expectations, through the game she felt as though she was ‘literally’ doing things with her loved ones.

The game's real life stimulation was so significant that it allowed her to go on adventures, take casual walks on the beach and just simply have fun with her loved ones through a screen.

“I was so surprised as to how realistic the game turned out to be, I really felt like I was hanging out with my friends when they all came to my ‘island’ on the game to hang out.

The game allowed us to do our own thing on each other's islands or doing things together such as building things or even having a picnic.”

“I always stay connected with my loved ones via social media, but sometimes the void of not being able to do things with them gets to me. I’m so grateful my loved ones back home persuaded me to join the ‘Animal Crossing’ bandwagon,” said Syaza.

Image1: Syaza Katrina and her best friend Luqman Adam hanging out on her island in ‘Animal Crossing’