Difference between revisions of "Animal tracks"
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| − | + | [[File:CF Grass Deterioration 1.jpg|300px|thumb|Grass beginning to wear along a [[ramp]] in {{CF|nolink}}]] | |
| − | [[ | + | '''Animal tracks'''<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Animal-Crossing-Let-s-Go-to-the-City/A-Day-in-the-Life-of-Animal-Crossing/2-Animal-Tracks-in-Animal-Crossing-/2-Animal-Tracks-in-Animal-Crossing--233476.html|title=Iwata Asks <nowiki>|</nowiki> 2. Animal Tracks in Animal Crossing?|retrieved=November 11, 2020}}</ref> are an environmental feature in {{CF}} and {{NL}}. By keeping track of players' movements throughout town, the game wears down the [[grass]] in high-traffic areas. |
| − | ''' | ||
| − | == | + | ==Appearances== |
| − | + | ===In {{CF|short|nolink}}=== | |
| + | [[File:CF Grass Deterioration 3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Grass in {{CF|short|nolink}} that has worn away between two palm trees.]] | ||
| + | Animal tracks in {{CF}} is much more noticeable than in {{NL|short|nolink}}, so much so that patches of grass will shrink beneath a player's feet as they walk. The rate of regrowth is stable across seasons, however the rate of deterioration is more marked in the [[winter]] months. | ||
| − | + | ====Game mechanics==== | |
| + | Each grass tile has a health value ranging from 0–255, with zero being dirt and 255 being completely healthy. The first time (per game load) that a player walks across a tile, the value decreases between 4-11 points, depending on the season. Each day at 6 AM, the game restores as many as nine grass points to each tile, the exact number depending on the [[Flora (plants)|flora]] inhabiting the space as well as the tile's proximity to other healthy (or unhealthy) tiles. | ||
| − | == | + | =====Factors influencing grass wear===== |
| − | + | The most noticeable increase in wear occurs with the changing of the seasons. The following table illustrates the difference in deterioration rates per tile after one round of wear. Notice the sharp increase in wear during winter. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | {| class="styled color-gameplay" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align:center; width: 80%;" | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! {{Season|Spring}} | ||
| + | ! {{Season|Summer}} | ||
| + | ! {{Season|Fall}} | ||
| + | ! {{Season|Winter}} | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 4-7 health points lost | ||
| + | | 4-8 health points lost | ||
| + | | 4-9 health points lost | ||
| + | | 8-11 health points lost | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | The first time a player steps on a grass tile (per game load) the game selects a value within the range appropriate for the current season and subtracts it from the tile's health value. A new round of wear can occur each time the town is loaded from memory. In addition to the initial game start, this occurs when partying over a [[Wi-Fi]] game, coming back from a friend's town, and by the start of the day message at 6 AM. | ||
| + | *'''Factors that ''do not affect'' grass wear:''' Contrary to common belief, running over grass tiles instead of walking over them will not affect how many health points they lose; however, it does increase the likelihood of the player stepping on a greater number of grass tiles, giving the illusion that the grass is decaying more quickly. Additionally, how many times a player walks over a space during the same game session is not considered by the game code, however this again increases the likelihood of walking over the neighboring tiles of damaged grass tiles in high traffic areas, again creating this illusion. Whether or not there is a pattern on a grass tile has no effect on its decay. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Factors influencing grass growth===== | ||
| + | Grass regrowth can be manipulated by the player to an extent. Certain flora will speed up regrowth, while others will have no effect. The effects noted in the table below are mitigated by a tile's proximity to other unhealthy tiles. If a tile is surrounded by healthy tiles, the effects will be maximized; otherwise the tile will grow more slowly. Grass health is adjusted for all tiles at 6 AM each day. | ||
| − | == | + | {| class="styled color-gameplay" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align:center; width: 80%;" |
| − | + | |- | |
| − | + | ! Standard Growth (Empty Tile) | |
| + | ! Flower | ||
| + | ! Tree | ||
| + | ! Stump | ||
| + | ! Sapling | ||
| + | ! Near Unhealthy Tile(s) | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 4 health points gained | ||
| + | | 5 extra health points | ||
| + | | 5 extra health points | ||
| + | | 5 extra health points | ||
| + | | 5 extra health points | ||
| + | | 1 fewer health points gained | ||
| + | |} | ||
| − | + | By providing five extra health points, flowers and trees can provide a total of up to nine health points per day. Note though that they only provide a growth bonus to the space they are occupying. Proximity to unhealthy spaces subtracts from the base growth rate, meaning that a grass tile with nothing on it would only gain three points of growth per day. As the minimum wear rate is -4, continually walking on a bare spot of grass makes it impossible for it to regrow. | |
| − | + | *'''Factors that ''do not affect'' grass growth:''' The presence of a weed, dropped item, buried item, or pattern. Watering flowers (or even empty spaces) and precipitation have no effect on growth. The type of flower or tree does not matter; all provide five bonus points. | |
| − | |||
| − | === | + | ===In {{NL|short|nolink}}=== |
| − | [[File: | + | [[File:NL Animal Tracks 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Animal tracks in {{NL|short|nolink}}. Note the area of dirt around the tree.]] |
| + | Grass wear is much more subtle in {{NL|short|nolink}} and daily routes require extensive use before grass begins to fade. Even so, some players have reported extensive wear to the point of desertification. The addition of [[public works project]]s has also contributed to this process as a patch of dirt is left behind after a project is removed. While the exact wear and regrowth mechanics are unknown, the feature is thought to operate much as it did in {{CF}}. | ||
| − | === | + | ====Observed changes==== |
| − | + | *The game no longer allows additional rounds of grass wear each time the game is loaded. | |
| + | *Grass regrowth is improved by three stages the day after a snow event and by one stage the day after a rain event. | ||
| − | = | + | {{Research Needed|grass wear in {{NL|nolink}}|note=More info on the effects of weather and the updated wear/regrowth ratio is needed.}} |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==Repair== |
| − | + | Complete regrowth from dirt to full health can take between 1-3 months to achieve depending on the extent of the damage and the factors influencing growth. There are a few ways in which a player can aid this process. Planting [[trees]] and [[flower]]s in the trampled area will speed up regrowth significantly. Using the growth rates from {{CF}}, assuming a grass health of zero, an isolated patch of dirt can achieve full health in 29 days (256/9=28.4...). Trees provide an additional advantage in that they serve as a physical barrier to prevent players from inadvertently stepping on worn areas and do not need to be watered. At the same time, their growth is limited by proximity and count restrictions which do not apply to flowers. | |
| − | + | Once the trees and flowers are planted, the player must avoid walking in the affected area other than to keep the flowers watered. For players who are willing to [[time travel]] within the game, the regrowth process can be further accelerated by advancing the game clock forward one day at a time, being certain that all flowers are kept watered each day. Setting the game clock backward in time or moving forward more than one day does not result in additional grass regrowth. The player can take advantage of seasonal weather changes in {{NL}} and load their game in winter when it snows, or in the other seasons when it rains, allowing for a faster regeneration rate.{{clear}} | |
| − | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
| − | + | <gallery> | |
| − | + | CF Grass Deterioration 2.jpg|A path created as a result of animal tracks in {{CF|short|nolink}} | |
| − | + | CF Grass Deterioration 4.jpg|A narrow path in {{CF|short|nolink}}. | |
| − | + | CF Grass Deterioration 5.jpg|Winding paths in {{CF|short|nolink}}. | |
| − | + | NL Animal Tracks 1.jpg|Paths formed via animal tracks in {{NL|short|nolink}}. | |
| − | + | </gallery> | |
| − | </gallery | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | {{ | + | {{Reflist}} |
| − | [[Category | + | {{Rewrite|note=Poor writing, needs to be less guide-like.}} |
| − | + | {{Navbox Gameplay elements}} | |
| + | {{Navbox Flora}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Gameplay elements]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:02, December 25, 2022
Grass beginning to wear along a ramp in Animal Crossing: City Folk
Animal tracks[1] are an environmental feature in Animal Crossing: City Folk and Animal Crossing: New Leaf. By keeping track of players' movements throughout town, the game wears down the grass in high-traffic areas.
Appearances[edit]
In City Folk[edit]
Animal tracks in Animal Crossing: City Folk is much more noticeable than in New Leaf, so much so that patches of grass will shrink beneath a player's feet as they walk. The rate of regrowth is stable across seasons, however the rate of deterioration is more marked in the winter months.
Game mechanics[edit]
Each grass tile has a health value ranging from 0–255, with zero being dirt and 255 being completely healthy. The first time (per game load) that a player walks across a tile, the value decreases between 4-11 points, depending on the season. Each day at 6 AM, the game restores as many as nine grass points to each tile, the exact number depending on the flora inhabiting the space as well as the tile's proximity to other healthy (or unhealthy) tiles.
Factors influencing grass wear[edit]
The most noticeable increase in wear occurs with the changing of the seasons. The following table illustrates the difference in deterioration rates per tile after one round of wear. Notice the sharp increase in wear during winter.
 Spring
|
 Summer
|
 Fall
|
 Winter
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-7 health points lost | 4-8 health points lost | 4-9 health points lost | 8-11 health points lost |
The first time a player steps on a grass tile (per game load) the game selects a value within the range appropriate for the current season and subtracts it from the tile's health value. A new round of wear can occur each time the town is loaded from memory. In addition to the initial game start, this occurs when partying over a Wi-Fi game, coming back from a friend's town, and by the start of the day message at 6 AM.
- Factors that do not affect grass wear: Contrary to common belief, running over grass tiles instead of walking over them will not affect how many health points they lose; however, it does increase the likelihood of the player stepping on a greater number of grass tiles, giving the illusion that the grass is decaying more quickly. Additionally, how many times a player walks over a space during the same game session is not considered by the game code, however this again increases the likelihood of walking over the neighboring tiles of damaged grass tiles in high traffic areas, again creating this illusion. Whether or not there is a pattern on a grass tile has no effect on its decay.
Factors influencing grass growth[edit]
Grass regrowth can be manipulated by the player to an extent. Certain flora will speed up regrowth, while others will have no effect. The effects noted in the table below are mitigated by a tile's proximity to other unhealthy tiles. If a tile is surrounded by healthy tiles, the effects will be maximized; otherwise the tile will grow more slowly. Grass health is adjusted for all tiles at 6 AM each day.
| Standard Growth (Empty Tile) | Flower | Tree | Stump | Sapling | Near Unhealthy Tile(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 health points gained | 5 extra health points | 5 extra health points | 5 extra health points | 5 extra health points | 1 fewer health points gained |
By providing five extra health points, flowers and trees can provide a total of up to nine health points per day. Note though that they only provide a growth bonus to the space they are occupying. Proximity to unhealthy spaces subtracts from the base growth rate, meaning that a grass tile with nothing on it would only gain three points of growth per day. As the minimum wear rate is -4, continually walking on a bare spot of grass makes it impossible for it to regrow.
- Factors that do not affect grass growth: The presence of a weed, dropped item, buried item, or pattern. Watering flowers (or even empty spaces) and precipitation have no effect on growth. The type of flower or tree does not matter; all provide five bonus points.
In New Leaf[edit]
Grass wear is much more subtle in New Leaf and daily routes require extensive use before grass begins to fade. Even so, some players have reported extensive wear to the point of desertification. The addition of public works projects has also contributed to this process as a patch of dirt is left behind after a project is removed. While the exact wear and regrowth mechanics are unknown, the feature is thought to operate much as it did in Animal Crossing: City Folk.
Observed changes[edit]
- The game no longer allows additional rounds of grass wear each time the game is loaded.
- Grass regrowth is improved by three stages the day after a snow event and by one stage the day after a rain event.
This article or section requires further research about grass wear in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
You can help by investigating this topic and editing this article to include more information. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page.
Further details: More info on the effects of weather and the updated wear/regrowth ratio is needed.
Further details: More info on the effects of weather and the updated wear/regrowth ratio is needed.
This article or section requires further research about grass wear in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
You can help by investigating this topic and editing this article to include more information. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page.
Further details: More info on the effects of weather and the updated wear/regrowth ratio is needed.
Further details: More info on the effects of weather and the updated wear/regrowth ratio is needed.
Repair[edit]
Complete regrowth from dirt to full health can take between 1-3 months to achieve depending on the extent of the damage and the factors influencing growth. There are a few ways in which a player can aid this process. Planting trees and flowers in the trampled area will speed up regrowth significantly. Using the growth rates from Animal Crossing: City Folk, assuming a grass health of zero, an isolated patch of dirt can achieve full health in 29 days (256/9=28.4...). Trees provide an additional advantage in that they serve as a physical barrier to prevent players from inadvertently stepping on worn areas and do not need to be watered. At the same time, their growth is limited by proximity and count restrictions which do not apply to flowers.
Once the trees and flowers are planted, the player must avoid walking in the affected area other than to keep the flowers watered. For players who are willing to time travel within the game, the regrowth process can be further accelerated by advancing the game clock forward one day at a time, being certain that all flowers are kept watered each day. Setting the game clock backward in time or moving forward more than one day does not result in additional grass regrowth. The player can take advantage of seasonal weather changes in Animal Crossing: New Leaf and load their game in winter when it snows, or in the other seasons when it rains, allowing for a faster regeneration rate.
Gallery[edit]
A path created as a result of animal tracks in City Folk
A narrow path in City Folk.
Winding paths in City Folk.
Paths formed via animal tracks in New Leaf.
References[edit]
- ↑ Nintendo. "Iwata Asks | 2. Animal Tracks in Animal Crossing?". Retrieved November 11, 2020.
This article needs to be rewritten.
Please help improve this article if you can. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page.
Further details: Poor writing, needs to be less guide-like.
Further details: Poor writing, needs to be less guide-like.
This article needs to be rewritten.
Please help improve this article if you can. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page.
Further details: Poor writing, needs to be less guide-like.
Further details: Poor writing, needs to be less guide-like.
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