Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (とびだせどうぶつの森, Tobidase Doubutsu no Mori) is an upcoming life simulation game, being developed by Nintendo and being released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. Originally being unveiled at E3 2010, the logo appeared on-screen, along with a few other games in development for the 3DS. Additionally, a few other screenshots were released, along with a non-playable demo. It is shown that the players and the villagers will now have more human-like shapes, rather than the shorter ones seen in previous games. The trees, flowers, and houses take on a more real life appearance, and there are also benches around the town for players and villagers to sit on.

It has also been revealed that the player is able to become the mayor of the town. With the help of the townsfolk and 'one eager secretary' it will be the character's job to make the town a better place to live. As shown in the October Nintendo Direct, Tortimer has retired to the tropical island and hosts minigames instead of taking the role of mayor. It is also unknown if one town will hold up to four players, due to the fact there can only be one mayor. In a video, there has been footage of beaches to the side of the town, indicating the introduction of new town layouts. The trailer also shows a character swimming in the ocean, mounting a clock on the wall, and taking on a new pose when approaching a bug to catch. The most recent trailer also reveals that players will be able to sit on tree trunks that have not yet been removed with a shovel. Also the train from Animal Crossing (GCN) is returning.

Because Tom Nook is now a Real Estate agent, players can now choose wherever they want their house to be. In the June 21st Nintendo Direct, it was shown that Timmy (and possibly Tommy) now runs Nook's store.

Shizue will follow the player when they are deciding to place buildings.

Development and Unveiling
The game was originally unveiled at E3 2010, though very little was shown. A trailer was shown showing off featuring the updated features, and little new features were shown. Shortly after, there was news that the player could be the mayor of the town, with the goal being to make the town a better place to live. A non-playable demo was also available on the show floor at Nintendo's booth as an example of the 3DS's 3D effects. Due to it not being given much detail, fans speculated that it might have not been an actual game but just an example and that another Animal Crossing game would be developed later.

At E3 2011, the rumors were proven false. During Nintendo's press conference, the Animal Crossing logo, among others, appeared on-screen as a list of upcoming 3DS games. Additionally, a new trailer was released. The trailer showed off a new feature in the game: swimming and diving in the ocean. Also, a player was shown changing not only his shirt, but also his shoes and pants. A player was also shown coming out of what appeared to be his tent-house. Throughout the town, benches and a beehive were shown, with a villager and later a player sitting on the bench. A new character was also shown, a yellow dog following the player. Fans quickly assumed she was the 'eager secretary' that helps the player mayor the town.

In an interview with Kotaku editor Stephen Totilo, the creator of Animal Crossing, Katsuya Eguchi, revealed that Animal Crossing 3DS will allow players to arrange their furniture in any way they like, and will also feature new networking experiences.

The title was confirmed at the Nintendo World Report on April 21, 2012.

Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed Animal Crossing: New Leaf is still in development on Monday June 11, 2012 for 3DS.

In the June direct conference it was confirmed that 4 people can live in the same village like the last 3 games. On another note, in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, they will reintroduce the train and Porter.

In early October, an Animal Crossing: New Leaf 3DS XL bundle was announced in Japan for when the game releases. In addition, another Japenese Nintendo Direct episode regarding Animal Crossing was scheduled for Friday, October 5. During the 47 minute video, highlights included K.K. Slider now performing as a DJ at a comedy club, customized road designs, megaphones for getting villagers' attention, diving for coral, new multiplayer games hosted on islands, meeting other players through the 3DS's StreetPass feature, and more.

New Features
Some of the many new features being introduced for the game include:


 * New villagers and two new species of characters: hamsters and deer.
 * Flowers (and presumably other plants) now drip with water once they have the watering can used on them, allowing the player to know whether they've watered it or not.
 * House exteriors can now be customized like a palace, Presidential Suite, Mansion, Gingerbread House, etc.
 * The player can now go swimming in the ocean and dive for coral.
 * There are now benches outside.
 * Certain furniture can now be placed onto walls.
 * Custom roads and paths can be created.
 * Along with the existing ability to customize their shirt, hat and other accessories, players can now customize their shoes and pants.
 * You can choose the opening times of the shops.
 * Leaves and plants that are used as furniture will change color according to the season.
 * It is suspected that the leaves will be different color based on if the item is customizeable, customized, or not
 * As Mayor you can make decisions on which buildings or parts of your town will be added, such as a new bridge, or a new store.
 * As Mayor, these decisions can even go specific as to what type of bridge is built, or what type of street lamp
 * The ability to have events happen in towns. This is caused by a recent video where a girl is shown at a picnic next to a pond. You likely as mayor can set up the picnic blanket.
 * Megaphones can be used for getting villagers' attention.
 * Meet other players through the 3DS's StreetPass feature.
 * New multiplayer games hosted on islands accessible by boat. Medals are awarded to winners. The minigames are hosted by Tortimer.

Being Mayor
Possibly one of the flagship features in the new game will see the player become mayor. Now that Tortimer has retired to the Tropical Island, you now take over his role as the mayor of your town. --68.38.151.137 16:30, 16 October 2012 (EDT)The player have a dog Shizue to be their 'eager' secretary. As mayor, the player will have his/her own office. Adding to this, the player will be able to place The Roost, the Resetti Surveillance Center and other items of outdoor furniture such as benches.

New Shops
A recycle shop will be run by a pink alpaca named Lisa and an unnamed blue alpaca, and Kicks, a minor character in will now have his own shoe shop with even more shoe customization available. A sloth named Lazy runs a gardening shop that sells flower seeds and tree saplings. The town's museum now offers along with a wider range of fossils and fish to exhibit, an exhibition room and a museum shop. Tom Nook now runs "Raccoon Housing", where players can get a tent and upgrade it into a large house. Also, the player can buy a variety of designs and objects for their house from Raccoon Housing.

Images
The following are official press images distributed to Animal Crossing sites. Most of the images were taken directly from the trailers, but some new character art was also provided for players, Bill, Rosie, Bob, Filbert and Curt.

Developer Roundtable
Nintendo has released this roundtable with the developers of the latest Animal Crossing game.

June 2012 Nintendo Direct
During a Nintendo Direct on June 21st 2012, gameplay footage of the new Animal Crossing was shown that reveals a wealth of new information. The following video is a translation of the footage into English.

As the player, you will make the village as you please. You will be appointed as mayor of the village As mayor you will carry out various public activities Everyone in the village is interactable and will continue to be the soul of the village There will be new types of villagers and old ones returning Characters have richer personalities Across the village line is the mall Ranging from shop to shop are familiar tools You can go back and forth between friend's towns Houses will appear via streetpass more appear as more are passed You may tour their homes The new work shop has been created to significantly increase decorating Not only can you customize the inside of your house, but also the entire house to your liking But in the use of our own items, it is up to us to demonstrate the individuality of our own room

This Video translates all the Text in the Game.

The Following Video Breaks Down the trailer and goes more in depth noticing the new features and items in the New Game.

Trailers
The following videos are trailers for Animal Crossing: New Leaf revealed at E3 conferences.