Anyone else feel alone and behind?

[Spooky.]

Maybe I'm just a bit more sensitive and emotional during lock down and all but I'd like to see if anyone feels this way or if it's just me.

I feel a bit alone and isolated this time around with the game, more so than I did with New Leaf. Back in New Leaf I felt like I often had friends to play with, and even people I've met on the forum to just hang out with and visit each other's islands, play games, and just have fun. Now, it seems a lot more lonely. I don't have any friends to play with, and even if I did, the removal of the games make it seem like there is even less of a reason to visit someone outside of trading. I've also felt like everyone seems to have their own established AC friend groups (especially on twitter) and I've always felt really left out, and even flat out ignored when I try to make friends by commenting. It's a bit disheartening and lonely.

Along with that, I feel really behind in my game. I poured a lot of time into my game, but I never seem to get any good items in my shops (and I often get repeats) and so much of my island is still so bare compared to others I see. I almost considered time traveling, something I told myself I didn't want to, just to play 'catch up' and have a nicer island like everyone else does. I also have hardly any bells (about 500k to my name only), very few items, and very few nook miles tickets, so it's nearly impossible to even trade with anyone, since almost no one wants TBT anymore.

Am I the only one who feels really isolated and behind everyone else, or am I just a sensitive old lady?


ETA: I do have the nook's upgrade, even with that I'm getting a lot of repeats. (If I see that accessory stand one more time, ughhh)

ETA2: I also hope it doesn't seem like I'm whining about not having 'good stuff' or anything. I'm not trying to fish for free items or anything, more so venting that I just feel behind and unlucky with the draw of what I've been getting on my island.

 

[JKDOS]

Do you have Nintendo Online? You can get some stuff trading with members on the forums. Some players will let you catalogue items so you can order them.

 

[Krissi2197]

I def have the same sort of isolation feeling! The removal of the Tort island along with the minigames really makes multiplayer less fun and less multiplayer and more just... Have someone come over, buy stuff from your shops, maybe snap a few pics, then leave. I'd love to have more things to do on multiplayer.

I'm about 200 or so hours into the game and my island is FAR from done. I don't have as many of the items I'd like to have. I have a ton of empty space on my island. I don't time travel so that may be why I'm so behind, but it's okay! I like how my island is coming out and I'm playing at my own pace!!

You aren't sensitive at all, and you def aren't alone in how you're feeling.

Is your Nook shop upgraded? Once you get that upgrade you'll get a lot of new, better looking items in stock!

 

[LuchaSloth]

The AC games have always been a solo experience for me. So...no, I don't really feel alone in that sense. I do agree with you, however...about visiting friends seeming a bit pointless in this game. Aside from shopping at their stores and getting a few items that might be different from your own town on a particular day, there definitely isn't much "fun" to be had in actually playing with people. I have a few friends I visit from time to time...and those visits are usually only a few minutes long. We run around, say "Hi"...do some shopping or fruit picking or whatever...and that's it. I send gifts in the mail more often than I actually visit, because it makes more sense, tbh.

 

[AndrewGK]

Greetings

I understand where you are coming from. Please let me help by friending you now! My friend code is to the left I'm very nice. Always willing to trade and be fair with my trades.

I have been to other islands - and yes they look amazing and beautiful. Instead of feeling like my island is trash or something, I try to look at it this way. I visit other islands to get INSPIRATION on what I can do to make mine better. Right now, my island is a bit bare bones but that's because I'm redoing it and now just stuck on exactly HOW I am going to make it better. I will, however, not get stressed out about it. Please dont let the game stress you out. Because real life in comparison is far far worse. And ACNH is my escape from all of that.

Why won't I get super stressed about the appearance of my island? Because unlike the other games that I play (FPS, platformers) this game is totally NO STRESS for me. Play at my leisure. I make my island how I WANT IT. And right now, I'm honestly happy with the progress i have made. Even while redoing my island, some parts of my island are very beautiful and lovely. And ACNH is still a fun game for me. No stress. Just fun. (Although - if i get ONE MORE BLOODY PRESENT that just has 5 pieces of clay ARRRGHHH )

 

[Raz]

Don't feel behind. Remember, AC is not a competitive game. Also, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

There's a lot of cool, kind people around here. I've been interacting with some and it's been an incredible experience. I wasn't that active in NL when it comes to the community, as I mostly played and interacted with a very small group of people from gamefaqs.

See, there's a lot of people with different kinds of playstyles, different approaches to the game, timezones, goals. You would probably "fit" in a group of people who play the game like you, so it's also easier to approach this kind of players.

This thread may be a good opportunity for you to find people to share your experience with.

 

[Fluuffy]

You know I actually found this out myself recently. People actually hire/pay others to come to their island and water their flowers. YUPP I just found this out. If you have nintendo online, perhaps you can join some of those. Not only will it take your mind off of your loneliness but you’re also kinda exploring other people’s islands while earning some bells

 

[courtky]

i felt that way a few times... but then i remembered how fun it is to play day by day and build my island. most people with their island already done have time traveled and blew threw the game within a few weeks. now they have nothing else to do. just enjoy the game at your own pace, and once nook's upgrades you'll get some cooler items!

i really do miss the multiplayer games, though. i hope they add that back in with an update. i'm assuming it'll come eventually since we have a dock... unless that's for looks.

 

[MyLifeIsCake]

I kind of get that feeling. New Horizons just came out, so there is a lot of new activity here especially online. A lot of people are excited to show off what they've made/have, but Animal Crossing is game to be played at your own pace, so don't feel discouraged about a work in progress.

When New Leaf came out it was wayyy easier to have a simple chat with some people and hang out in their towns. I'm not seeing that too much for NH except when maybe someone's hosting a metor shower. I kind of miss having a group of friends to hang out with online. I feel like in this game there's less risk of people stealing but yet I'm not seeing hangouts happen often.

 

[Spooky.]

Do you have Nintendo Online? You can get some stuff trading with members on the forums. Some players will let you catalogue items so you can order them.

I do have it. The problem is not being able to afford the insane NMT people ask to even just catalog something or visit a shop.

 

[JKDOS]

I do have it. The problem is not being able to afford the insane NMT people ask to even just catalog something or visit a shop.

I know the feeling. Luckily not everyone is charging NMTs. If you maintain a wishlist, I can keep an eye for things for you. In most cases, I give villagers and stuff away for free, unless I'm looking to trade for another item.

 

[Spooky.]

I know the feeling. Luckily not everyone is charging NMTs. If you maintain a wishlist, I can keep an eye for things for you. In most cases, I give villagers and stuff away for free, unless I'm looking to trade for another item.

I've spent a lot of time surfing the cranny forum, on occasion I saw people asking for bells, but no one wants TBT anymore which is all I have right now. I have about 500k bells to my name, which I only even have because I was lucky to buy 2 mill off of someone early on. So I don't really have bells to buy with. It's been a struggle. I didn't want to cave in and use nmt cause it seems such a silly currency to me, and a long process to get, but I guess I have to give in.

 

[daisyy]

this post broke my heart. it's very easy to feel alone in these times, both irl and in game. i feel a little more connected browsing these forums, even if i'll most likely never play with other players just to hang out. there are gems wherever you look that can remind you of the spirit of the game, and that helps me. for what it's worth, i think it'll get better over time with new features and less of a rush for completion...

 

[lieryl]

I do have it. The problem is not being able to afford the insane NMT people ask to even just catalog something or visit a shop.

if you have any wishlist items lmk! i don’t have a lot but i’ll see if i can find what you’re looking for ^_^

 

[Raz]

I've spent a lot of time surfing the cranny forum, on occasion I saw people asking for bells, but no one wants TBT anymore which is all I have right now. I have about 500k bells to my name, which I only even have because I was lucky to buy 2 mill off of someone early on. So I don't really have bells to buy with. It's been a struggle. I didn't want to cave in and use nmt cause it seems such a silly currency to me, and a long process to get, but I guess I have to give in.

Advice: use the Airport forum instead.

It's more likely to find people hosting without asking any fees or tips, as the staff changed the policy of that forum (for the better). I was hosting earlier and had a great time. It was raining, I'm in the southern hemisphere, and Leif was here, so I thought about opening my island for people to come in and hang out. Sometimes people do that.

 

[AndrewGK]

I've spent a lot of time surfing the cranny forum, on occasion I saw people asking for bells, but no one wants TBT anymore which is all I have right now. I have about 500k bells to my name, which I only even have because I was lucky to buy 2 mill off of someone early on. So I don't really have bells to buy with. It's been a struggle. I didn't want to cave in and use nmt cause it seems such a silly currency to me, and a long process to get, but I guess I have to give in.

I'm sorry to hear that.

As far as I am concerned, anytime you want to visit my island to shop, I will only charge you THREE bells. Just three. (I do have overhead and stuff, ya know )

You have a kindred spirit who understands what you are going through. *hug*

 

[RooftopsRevolution]

I feel the same but if you ever are looking for an AC friend group, there are many of us who are in the same boat and here to help you feel less lonely <3

 

[Spooky.]

Thank you everyone for responding and making me feel less isolated. It's hard when you think you're the only one feeling a certain way, you know? I'm glad it's not just me, though sad that others feel this way too.

 

[Arithmophobia17]

i don't really feel alone as my prior animal crossing experience was new leaf really late into the game's life span so almost no one i knew had the game and i hadn't joined the forums at the time, so it was a rather solo experience (i also got bored of it after a month or two and didn't really play, though i absolutely loved it. however, i'd love to make friends to visit other islands and such. i've done a lot of trading, but i haven't really gotten the experience of going to an island just to visit and it sounds really fun! also, if you'd want you can check out my shop in my sig, i accept tbt i'd also love to just let you have some stuff too depending on the item, or let you visit my shops

also, invest in turnips!! i've gotten up to 4 mil in bells just by buying 500k worth or so each week and selling at a profit or visiting someone's 300-500+ nook's cranny

 

[meo]

I think repeats are kind of something we all have had in cranny. I actually had better luck from random drops from balloons tbh in finding a lot of furniture items. All I can really recommend is trading mostly.
I second checking Airport/Business Class. There's a lot of people that host free catalog, free shops, diy invites, and etc. You can also create your own topic. I've seen people host a catalog trade where each person comes to catalog items you put out and they also bring a few items for you to catalog.
For bells, I recommend the stalk market aka turnips. At a minimum, I recommend buying a full bags worth then look for a town with a price 500+ on the airport. The only con is 500+ topics tend to take off fairly quickly so you have to have some patience getting in sometimes. But you can easily get a few million bells each week just committing to a bag's worth to sell.

Unfortunately, I agree in terms of the games aspect. There isn't much to do that encourage online co-op right now other than fishing together, wishing on stars, and watering flowers. None of which are all the enticing imo to really make it worthwhile. I do hope mini games will be returning in a future update to make things more fun for friends.