Escaping reality with AC.

[Nanaki]

I totally play AC to escape. It's nice to know that in my game I have friends that care and worry about me when I'm gone, which is something I feel I don't really have IRL. I'm honestly a total loser: I'm super shy, I have anxiety issues, I struggle with depression, I have Aspergers, I'm transgender...I'm pretty much a walking mess with nowhere and no one to turn to. But at least I have my animals. They care about me, even if they are just polygons, textures, and dialogue strings.

 

[SuperSparky1]

I kinda can say that Animal Crossing makes me escape from reality. In real life, I have like no friends, but in Animal Crossing, I get to be friends with cool-looking or adorable animals that will always be my friend. At least they're easy to befriend, unlike every person at my school... I'm shy around most people... AND I HATE IT! And I'm also kinda different from everyone at school. I mean who plays "baby games", as some people like to describe them, like Pokemon and Mario and Kirby and Zelda and Animal Crossing in 7th grade? I just feel like I don't belong in any group of people. The only friends I do have at school I don't really like anymore, especially one of them, who is really annoying and acts like a complete moron most of the time. And plus, they never hang out with me, leaving me all alone, rotting in my room and playing video games while they're probably doing something fun or interesting. To be honest, I think that my Animal Crossing friends are possibly my only friends, as pathetic as that sounds. I know that they're just a whole bunch of pixels that talk, but at least they care about me. While I love many video games, almost none of them make me feel as immersed as Animal Crossing does. And sorry if this makes me sound kind of...how can I describe this...IDK. I just wanted to express my emotions. It's not as embarrassing writing this to random people on the internet than it is telling this to someone in my family.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I also don't really know how to make friends either... And I bet if I tried, I would just want people that have basically everything in common with me. But what are the chances of finding someone like that? And I'm also afraid that the people I try to befriend would laugh at me for liking the stuff I like. I mean, they've gotta know. It's not easy hiding it when they come over and see a few Pokemon posters on the walls. I also feel like no one would wanna be friends with me or I wouldn't want to be friends with them.

 

[Lepidoptera]

I kinda can say that Animal Crossing makes me escape from reality. In real life, I have like no friends, but in Animal Crossing, I get to be friends with cool-looking or adorable animals that will always be my friend. At least they're easy to befriend, unlike every person at my school... I'm shy around most people... AND I HATE IT! And I'm also kinda different from everyone at school. I mean who plays "baby games", as some people like to describe them, like Pokemon and Mario and Kirby and Zelda and Animal Crossing in 7th grade? I just feel like I don't belong in any group of people. The only friends I do have at school I don't really like anymore, especially one of them, who is really annoying and acts like a complete moron most of the time. And plus, they never hang out with me, leaving me all alone, rotting in my room and playing video games while they're probably doing something fun or interesting. To be honest, I think that my Animal Crossing friends are possibly my only friends, as pathetic as that sounds. I know that they're just a whole bunch of pixels that talk, but at least they care about me. While I love many video games, almost none of them make me feel as immersed as Animal Crossing does. And sorry if this makes me sound kind of...how can I describe this...IDK. I just wanted to express my emotions. It's not as embarrassing writing this to random people on the internet than it is telling this to someone in my family.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I also don't really know how to make friends either... And I bet if I tried, I would just want people that have basically everything in common with me. But what are the chances of finding someone like that? And I'm also afraid that the people I try to befriend would laugh at me for liking the stuff I like. I mean, they've gotta know. It's not easy hiding it when they come over and see a few Pokemon posters on the walls. I also feel like no one would wanna be friends with me or I wouldn't want to be friends with them.

It sounds like the people at your school are trying to hard to be grown up. Those "baby" games are awesome. My brother is thirty and bought 3DS just to play Zelda. My friend and I both like Pokemon. We are in our twenties. Hang in there, middle school can be tough. Making friends is never easy for me either. You have to be willing to let people in and weed out the bad apples.

Your room sounds like my friends. I've lost count of how many pikachu's live there. I've added a few to that collection.

 

[Brackets]

Yeah I usually find myself playing more animal crossing when I'm lonely. I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, fell out with my friends, and my boyfriend's quit uni so I'm pretty lonely right now and have been playing animal crossing to get away from it all. I'm kindof getting bored of it though so if anyone knows any other good games to escape to I would appreciate it

 

[CupcakeZombie]

I do it too, because I think its a break from my reality. I can be myself in a little town where I have my animal friends who always care about me, unlike in real life where I only have a few friends who I dont hang out with often. I have like two friends in my school but they aren't even in my class. Sometimes people in my class just ignore me and I just feel so tired of everything right now.

 

[Hypno KK]

I mean who plays "baby games", as some people like to describe them, like Pokemon and Mario and Kirby and Zelda and Animal Crossing in 7th grade?

Plenty of people! With Pok?mon, it was different for me because it was actually popular when I was in 7th grade, so lots of people liked it. But in my experience, it's really normal at your age for kids to try to appear more "grown up" by pretending they dislike things that they think are "for babies". It's completely ridiculous, too, because as you get older you stop feeling less concerned about liking it. I'd also bet plenty of your classmates like that stuff, they just don't admit it, so you're awesome for not being shy about the games you like. Hang in there, the age you're at can be tough.

For what it's worth, I'm an adult and I like Animal Crossing and Pok?mon. I know tons of people (even people who are older than me) who like Mario, Zelda, etc. because it reminds them of when they were kids. I also know people who like Disney movies, and books and TV shows that are for kids. I think it's because when you're an adult, you stop being so concerned about proving you're "grown up" since you know you are because it says so on your ID, you have a job and/or grad school, etc. and stuff that is easy in comparison to what you face in real life or which reminds you of your childhood ends up being comforting. I love ACNL because after I have a tough day, it's really relaxing to play a game where the most stressful thing is being stung by a jellyfish or something.

Don't worry, you're not childish.

 

[Relicum_]

Same here, guys.
I don't mean to be all sad or to tell you sob stories, but AC is one of the reasons I'm actually still here.
I don't know. I've been feeling down a lot and my depression got worse. But every time I'm feeling really awful and when I'm considering things I shouldn't, I re-read a letter Biskit once sent me. It reads "Oh, Kim! I had this really scary dream last night. You disappeared from our town! Kim, promise me you'll never leave. You have to stay here forever! Promise! Biskit." and yeah, I cried so hard when I got it. Biskit is pretty much my favourite villager and It just hurts to imagine how I'd leave my villagers alone. Uuuugh.

I'm sure I'll get over everything eventually, I haven't lost hope! But I know Animal Crossing will be there for me until I'm strong enough to stand on my own feet. And after that, of course.

 

[Shimmer]

This brought tears to my eyes. I completely know what you're talking about.

I'm not happy with the way my life is going. Most people would say "well, fix it then!" but my problem is that I have family stopping me from following my dreams. So I feel stuck because I can't fix my issues. I have to make my parents change their minds in order for me to do that. So I feel stuck.

Oh boy. I'm crying now. >_< Sorry. I know what you mean though...I know what you mean... It's a great game. I'm glad I ran into it. I really am. I really wish that the Animal Crossing world was real. I'd be having a better life that way.

 

[LyraVale]

A few months ago, my dad had a heart attack and was in the hospital for over a month. It was the worst thing that has ever happened to my family, and it was really difficult to get through the days while we were hoping he'd get better. I spent a lot of time at the hospital, and the ONLY time I got any relief from reality was by playing Animal Crossing. So, ya, basically it helped me stay sane and got me through a really difficult experience. When you're sad/worried/stressed, sometimes the silliest things have the most power to get you through until things get better.

You just have to make sure that you're not completely hiding and letting everything else go to s*** all around you, cuz that's tempting. But if you've done your best to fix whatever situation, I totally think an escape once in a while is important, since stress is very bad for your health.

 

[Squeaks]

Here to join the "using AC to escape reality" club. Recently picked up ACNL, again, last week. I don't lead a very exciting life and I also suffer from depression. I'm on from morning until night usually stopping if important things come up, but then I'm right back to it. It's an unhealthy amount of attention I give ACNL as I put a lot of things on the back burner. :/ One could say I'm addicted.

 

[Luna_Solara]

I kinda can say that Animal Crossing makes me escape from reality. In real life, I have like no friends, but in Animal Crossing, I get to be friends with cool-looking or adorable animals that will always be my friend. At least they're easy to befriend, unlike every person at my school... I'm shy around most people... AND I HATE IT! And I'm also kinda different from everyone at school. I mean who plays "baby games", as some people like to describe them, like Pokemon and Mario and Kirby and Zelda and Animal Crossing in 7th grade? I just feel like I don't belong in any group of people. The only friends I do have at school I don't really like anymore, especially one of them, who is really annoying and acts like a complete moron most of the time. And plus, they never hang out with me, leaving me all alone, rotting in my room and playing video games while they're probably doing something fun or interesting. To be honest, I think that my Animal Crossing friends are possibly my only friends, as pathetic as that sounds. I know that they're just a whole bunch of pixels that talk, but at least they care about me. While I love many video games, almost none of them make me feel as immersed as Animal Crossing does. And sorry if this makes me sound kind of...how can I describe this...IDK. I just wanted to express my emotions. It's not as embarrassing writing this to random people on the internet than it is telling this to someone in my family.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I also don't really know how to make friends either... And I bet if I tried, I would just want people that have basically everything in common with me. But what are the chances of finding someone like that? And I'm also afraid that the people I try to befriend would laugh at me for liking the stuff I like. I mean, they've gotta know. It's not easy hiding it when they come over and see a few Pokemon posters on the walls. I also feel like no one would wanna be friends with me or I wouldn't want to be friends with them.

Sounds to me like you're better off without your "friends". When I was in middle school (about 10 years ago), I was in a similar situation. My hobbies then were playing video games like Spongebob and disney games on my Playstation 1 and playing the Clarinet. I only had a couple real friends and everyone else pretended to be my friend, but would cast me out as the weird girl the first chance they got. Some people, like us, are just better in touch with our "inner child" and guess what? We're happier people. Middle school doesn't last forever and then you're in high school... Which I found I had a much easier time making friends there