MAJOR LEAKS [Possible Spoilers]

[JKDOS]

but if the system and game let you do it, then it's not cheating.

I don't think it's so much "they let us do it", but more there really isn't a way to prevent it without requiring the game to connect to a Nintendo time server every time you load your save.

Aside from being able to change the clock using the system clock, the games usually offer an in game method (preload) to change the clock, which I think is meant for desynchronization of the game clock and system clock. This could possibly happen due to daylights savings, or using multiple systems/consoles. As New Leaf calls it "Time is out of whack" (or something like that).

And then there's the CMOS battery. Sometimes the CMOS batteries can go bad which can cause the system clock to lose track of time. This would be extremely detrimental to Animal Crossing if there was a way to prevent time travel without requiring internet.

 

[tajikey]

I don't think it's so much "they let us do it", but more there really isn't a way to prevent it without requiring the game to connect to a Nintendo time server every time you load your save.

Aside from being able to change the clock using the system clock, the games usually offer an in game method (preload) to change the clock, which I think is meant for desynchronization of the game clock and system clock. This could possibly happen due to daylights savings, or using multiple systems/consoles. As New Leaf calls it "Time is out of whack" (or something like that).

And then there's the CMOS battery. Sometimes the CMOS batteries can go bad which can cause the system clock to lose track of time. This would be extremely detrimental to Animal Crossing if there was a way to prevent time travel without requiring internet.

"Let you do it" and "allow it to happen without hacking anything" are interchangeable, at least in this scenario.

 

[SheepMareep]

In every ac game I've played (ww, Cf, nl) it is an in game option to change the time so yeah... they let you do it lmao.

 

[JKDOS]

"Let you do it" and "allow it to happen without hacking anything" are interchangeable, at least in this scenario.

Fair enough

 

[Kristen]

I honestly don't think either is cheating. It may be considered dishonest, but if the system and game let you do it, then it's not cheating. Now, hacking the game to get items not normally available via the way they were obtained, that's cheating.

I'm in agreement that I don't think it's cheating, I think it just depends on the situation. I mean, technically, what is gaining buildings or villagers doing for you? It doesn't give you an advantage at all, and if you look at the definition, "act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage," this is what cheating is. If you're doing it to skip to holidays or something to get cool items that no one else has, then maybe? I don't know.

 

[jiojiop]

I'm in agreement that I don't think it's cheating, I think it just depends on the situation. I mean, technically, what is gaining buildings or villagers doing for you? It doesn't give you an advantage at all, and if you look at the definition, "act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage," this is what cheating is. If you're doing it to skip to holidays or something to get cool items that no one else has, then maybe? I don't know.

To be honest with you, while duplicating items might be technically considered cheating, I don't really care to argue over semantics. Since it is a singleplayer game rather than multiplayer, it doesn't impact anyone else's game experience. To me, that's the only kind of 'cheating' that is a problem.

Sure, TTing and duplication might affect the trade/sell market, but that is outside of the game and built around it. It's not something official from Nintendo. Even if someone duplicates 100 hybrids while you grow yours naturally over time, their hybrids or their more advanced island don't detract from your enjoyment and accomplishment. No one should feel like they have to measure up against anyone else in a game that is about having a lovely tranquil escape from the stress of everyday life. If you are having fun, that's all that matters.

 

[Kristen]

To be honest with you, while duplicating items might be technically considered cheating, I don't really care to argue over semantics. Since it is a singleplayer game rather than multiplayer, it doesn't impact anyone else's game experience. To me, that's the only kind of 'cheating' that is a problem.

Sure, TTing and duplication might affect the trade/sell market, but that is outside of the game and built around it. It's not something official from Nintendo. Even if someone duplicates 100 hybrids while you grow yours naturally over time, their hybrids or their more advanced island don't detract from your enjoyment and accomplishment. No one should feel like they have to measure up against anyone else in a game that is about having a lovely tranquil escape from the stress of everyday life. If you are having fun, that's all that matters.

Yeah. In an online multiplayer game where it impacts others then it's a problem. I don't see why people get upset about other people time travelling. If you don't like it, don't do it yourself and leave it at that.

 

[Fey]

Sure, TTing and duplication might affect the trade/sell market, but that is outside of the game and built around it. It's not something official from Nintendo. Even if someone duplicates 100 hybrids while you grow yours naturally over time, their hybrids or their more advanced island don't detract from your enjoyment and accomplishment. No one should feel like they have to measure up against anyone else in a game that is about having a lovely tranquil escape from the stress of everyday life. If you are having fun, that's all that matters.

I’d never actually advocate for it being taken out of the game, because I known people have a variety of reasons for doing it. At the same time, I think the lines of what’s considered “outside of the game” are getting more blurred with the accessibility of the internet. Even saying it’s not something official from Nintendo can be argued, since Nintendo has specifically been stressing the ability to connect and play with others. In that sense, the “outside” is very much an intended part of the AC experience imo.

Personally, I’ll admit that others time traveling forward in time does affect my enjoyment in some ways. Juggling FOMO (fear of missing out) with the desire to explore everything on my own (and in real time) can be a struggle >.<

 

[jiojiop]

I’d never actually advocate for it being taken out of the game, because I known people have a variety of reasons for doing it. At the same time, I think the lines of what’s considered “outside of the game” are getting more blurred with the accessibility of the internet. Even saying it’s not something official from Nintendo can be argued, since Nintendo has specifically been stressing the ability to connect and play with others. In that sense, the “outside” is very much an intended part of the AC experience imo.

Personally, I’ll admit that others time traveling forward in time does affect my enjoyment in some ways. Juggling FOMO (fear of missing out) with the desire to explore everything on my own (and in real time) can be a struggle >.<

I mean the part about selling items to each other (by dropping bells and dropping the item), as arranged via online message boards. That's clearly outside of the design of the game - because it's so awkward to do!

I definitely understand where people's discomfort with others' TTd/duped towns comes from, which is why I put that last bit into my post. When people are always showing off their meticulous town plans and layouts or their towns that are way more advanced than everyone else's and getting tons of praise for it, I can easily see how that makes other people feel worse about their towns. [SUB](This is another reason I dislike reddit!)[/SUB]

This may sound silly but this is the way I think of it: your villagers still deemed your town worth moving to. It doesn't need to be the most elaborate one with a perfect town rating, hybrids everywhere, and design that wins popularity contests online. All that matters is that your villagers are happy and that you feel a sense of progress.

If looking at other people showing off their stuff gives you anxiety, then I suggest you don't do it. This applies to everything in life too. So many people are made unhappy by looking at other people's lives/bodies/faces on Instagram. If it makes you unhappy, cut it out of your life. Speaking from experience myself, so hopefully that doesn't come off as patronizing.

 

[tajikey]

To be honest with you, while duplicating items might be technically considered cheating, I don't really care to argue over semantics. Since it is a singleplayer game rather than multiplayer, it doesn't impact anyone else's game experience. To me, that's the only kind of 'cheating' that is a problem.

Sure, TTing and duplication might affect the trade/sell market, but that is outside of the game and built around it. It's not something official from Nintendo. Even if someone duplicates 100 hybrids while you grow yours naturally over time, their hybrids or their more advanced island don't detract from your enjoyment and accomplishment. No one should feel like they have to measure up against anyone else in a game that is about having a lovely tranquil escape from the stress of everyday life. If you are having fun, that's all that matters.

I can't disagree with most of what you said. However, duplicated items saturate the market, and misrepresent Nintendo's intention on making those items exclusive, and difficult to obtain. I fall into the category of primarily playing in singleplayer mode, generally relying on my own ability to obtain the items I want. In the off chance I can't, my hope is that the person with whom I'm trading obtained the item I want honestly.

 

[Fey]

I mean the part about selling items to each other (by dropping bells and dropping the item), as arranged via online message boards. That's clearly outside of the design of the game - because it's so awkward to do!

I definitely understand where people's discomfort with others' TTd/duped towns comes from, which is why I put that last bit into my post. When people are always showing off their meticulous town plans and layouts or their towns that are way more advanced than everyone else's and getting tons of praise for it, I can easily see how that makes other people feel worse about their towns. [SUB](This is another reason I dislike reddit!)[/SUB]

This may sound silly but this is the way I think of it: your villagers still deemed your town worth moving to. It doesn't need to be the most elaborate one with a perfect town rating, hybrids everywhere, and design that wins popularity contests online. All that matters is that your villagers are happy and that you feel a sense of progress.

If looking at other people showing off their stuff gives you anxiety, then I suggest you don't do it. This applies to everything in life too. So many people are made unhappy by looking at other people's lives/bodies/faces on Instagram. If it makes you unhappy, cut it out of your life. Speaking from experience myself, so hopefully that doesn't come off as patronizing.

I know it wasn’t intended and I mean no offense in return, but it does come across as patronizing to me. And silly too, honestly.

I’m not sure if you were addressing me in particular or just speaking generally, but to be clear, I never said anything about experiencing anxiety. I find it frustrating, and no head canon of my villagers preferring my Island is going to change that lol
I don’t appreciate my feelings being waved away with shallow sentiments like it just being a game, nor being told that I just need to adjust my attitude. My reaction to TT is valid, just like people’s decision to do it is. Telling me to “cut it out of my life” if it makes me unhappy is not reasonable or fair. What should I do—isolate myself from the community to avoid it? I’d rather politely vent my frustration from time to time, and then move on and have fun with the game and community ^ｪ^