A few weeks ago, the Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden revealed several downloadable designs for Animal Crossing: New Horizons players. They included signs, apparel, and more for those who supported his campaign. As an additional bonus, the Biden campaign released an island that players could visit using a Dream Code.
Previously, Dream Codes were the only way to visit another island through a dream. Players could visit, interact with the island representatives and villagers but couldn’t take anything home. The only way to see the content was to willingly visit.
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However, Nintendo has announced the implementation of “random” visits to dream islands. Players won’t have control over what content they see if they choose this option.
The official Nintendo support page has updated its rules regarding the content on islands. Players can’t use their island to promote political content. That includes Joe Biden’s presidential campaign-themed island.
The new rule was updated last week as part of a set of new guidelines. This allows the game to be a space where everyone from across the world can enjoy the game and perhaps keep politics and their video game adventures separate.
The announcement states:
Please refrain from using the Game inappropriately or creating any content within the Game that would be considered vulgar, discriminatory, or offensive. Please also refrain from bringing politics into the Game.
When attempting to visit the Animal Crossing store on the Joe Biden campaign website, it is no longer available. The entire store is now closed, and the main website is now a general statement about his plans for the future.
The news also asks others not to use the game as a marketing platform. That includes directing visitors to a sales page, distributing coupons, giveaways, and other ways that may attempt to gather personal information.
If Nintendo finds out that a business is breaking the rules, Nintendo has stated the consequences. They include formally asking businesses to stop the activity or using their game and possibly prohibiting future business usage of the game.
Businesses and organizations are allowed to provide custom designs or Dream Addresses, inviting other players to its island, and uploading family-friendly screenshots and footage online.
These new guidelines will also change the way that businesses distribute content. In the past, many companies have been distributing free designs. The design codes were published online and didn’t require an additional purchase. Now, these businesses will need to be more mindful of what content it’s distributing.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now on the Nintendo Switch.