How do you feel about the 'Rolling Log' effect in NH?

[Jibby]

The rolling log camera is undeniably a staple in the Animal Crossing franchise, being in every mainline game since Wild World. But how do you feel about its return in New Horizons?

To me, the rolling log always felt like a workaround for the small, low resolution screens of the DS and 3DS that became iconic enough to stick around. Now that we're getting a high resolution, big screen Animal Crossing experience, should the rolling log really return? I know Let's Go to The City kept it, but given that it's pretty much a beefed up, more feature complete WW, that was to be expected.

I'm not too sure where I stand on it personally. It definitely adds a lot of that signature Animal Crossing charm, but from watching the gameplay videos on my big screen, I do feel like seeing the effect scaled up so much can be a bit jarring. Despite this, I think it's something I'll probably get used to after a session or two and I don't think I'd want it removed.

But I'm just curious to see where you guys stand on this! Do you feel Nintendo made the right call with keeping it, or do you think they should have gone with something similar to the classic Gamecube style camera?

 

[Khaelis]

It wouldn't be Animal Crossing without it, to be honest. I'm glad that it is returning. It seems like New Horizon's is toned down slightly, so they definitely know it could have been too jarring. They knew what they were doing.

 

[Xara]

i’m glad they’re keeping it; it’s a familiar feature in a game full of new ones aha

 

[sauceisis]

I definitely agree that it adds that signature charm to the game, and seeing scaled up on a big tv definitely is kinda odd. Not a deal breaker for me though, I'm sure it's something that I'll get used to!

 

[Aubrey895]

I actually like it.

 

[MapleSilver]

I don't mind it being in New Horizons. I've played City Folk and New Leaf for so long that it would just feel natural being here.

 

[jcmbangor]

I say...roll those logs!

 

[Feraligator]

I've played ACWW CF and NL for so long that I'm used to it and I like it. I actually don't really like the top down view on GC because it feels more somber without a sky.

 

[Dewy]

Wait what? Sorry if this is a dumb question but can someone please explain to me what a “rolling log effect” is?

 

[toadsworthy]

Yeah if that effect wasn't there i feel like the game would be too harvest moony... I like the effect because it gives you the chance to see the sky and land in a perfect way. It also confirms that the earth is flat, so take that flat earth's

 

[DrewAC]

I won't lie, and I know my expectations were probably super out there, I was really expecting the Switch version of Animal Crossing to look like the Mario Kart 8 track. Huge, scaled up trees, buildings, villagers; everything. A massive town area that had so much space that the game would borderline be about exploration, exploring forests, caves, and so on.

With that said, I still absolutely love what they did with New Horizons. The game looks beautiful in every way, the wind adds so much to the atmosphere, and there's just a ton of detail put into every little corner of the game. At this point, it looks like that "rolling-log" effect is simply a staple of the game, and I don't think there's anything wrong about that. It's clear that they were able to vastly improve upon the town with the effect, so there was still room to keep it around.

 

[Feraligator]

Wait what? Sorry if this is a dumb question but can someone please explain to me what a “rolling log effect” is?

As you walked north or south in your town you can see everything move on a curved pane in the distance. The town is basically a huge cylinder.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/173dc9e50c6509f2343bdf23ceabd414/tumblr_oww20saDqY1rxe2pyo3_1280.gifv
[video]https://66.media.tumblr.com/05fba9978346151444d04f227345a601/tumblr_oww20saDqY1rxe2pyo1_1280.gifv[/video]

I also thought the game may've looked like MK8's AC track, but I'm fine with it not looking like that and I love the look of NH so far. So excited to just stroll around my island !

 

[Hanif1807]

It's good they keep it. It's small but important little feature of the game

 

[Jibby]

I actually don't really like the top down view on GC because it feels more somber without a sky.

I like the effect because it gives you the chance to see the sky and land in a perfect way.

These are really good points! I hadn't even thought about how the effect shows off the sky.

In that case, I'm definitely glad they kept it in!

 

[Imbri]

I've played ACWW CF and NL for so long that I'm used to it and I like it. I actually don't really like the top down view on GC because it feels more somber without a sky.

Oh, remember the fireworks in GC? You had to watch them reflected in the pond.

 

[Antonio]

I prefer the rolling log effect but i am hoping we have more camera options in the game.

 

[Feraligator]

Oh, remember the fireworks in GC? You had to watch them reflected in the pond.

Yep, I think we had to watch the meteor showers reflected in the pond too. I always thought that was bizarre but it's a decent work around to having no sky. The top down view also felt really enclosed as well to me, like it was there was a ceiling over the town.
I think the sky is really important in Animal Crossing to create a more 'free' atmosphere.

 

[John Wick]

I have no clue what a rolling log effect/camera is.

Can someone explain so I know?

 

[Khaelis]

I have no clue what a rolling log effect/camera is.

Can someone explain so I know?

Someone explained it and posted examples in an earlier thread post. : /

 

[John Wick]

As you walked north or south in your town you can see everything move on a curved pane in the distance. The town is basically a huge cylinder.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/173dc9e50c6509f2343bdf23ceabd414/tumblr_oww20saDqY1rxe2pyo3_1280.gifv
[video]https://66.media.tumblr.com/05fba9978346151444d04f227345a601/tumblr_oww20saDqY1rxe2pyo1_1280.gifv[/video]

I also thought the game may've looked like MK8's AC track, but I'm fine with it not looking like that and I love the look of NH so far. So excited to just stroll around my island !

Ahh, thank you.
Yep I do like this effect.

Thank you for the explaination.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Someone explained it and posted examples in an earlier thread post. : /

Yep, went through the topic and found it, thank you.