getaway). So it’s similar to step-
ping into an alternate reality for
a few minutes or hours here and
there. One in which my biggest
concern is about decorating my
house with a DJ booth and cof-
fee table. One where I’m not
worried about a highly conta-
gious virus.
Animal Crossing also offers
ways to chill out with friends
in an acceptable way. I can
scamper around my island with
my wife, visiting a museum full
of the fish and fossils we’ve
discovered. Or I can fly over to
other people’s isles online to see
what sort of fruit trees grow on
their lands and exchange items.
The game promotes community
building. And that feels more
important than ever.
Video games definitely carry
a stigma of isolation and addic-
tion. But right now, they can
provide the perfect outlet for
escapism and socialization. For
instance, Call of Duty Warzone
is a free-to-play Battle Royale
game that also launched in
March. It’s the antithesis of
Animal Crossing, but I’ve had a
blast catching up with local and
faraway friends while fighting
random people across the world.
What you play doesn’t mat-
ter. What video games can offer
in these trying times does. Plus
playing and staying at home can
save lives.
— Evan Campbell is a free-
lance writer who covers video
games, movies, TV shows and
tech. He’s also a former copy
editor at the News and Tribune.
May / June 2020
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