Exploring the Benefits and Drawbacks of Expanding the Villager Roster in the Next Animal Crossing

Throughout the history of Animal Crossing, we’ve seen a parade of charming villagers joining this beloved franchise, each bringing their own unique flair. With such a vast array of adorable animals to collect, it’s no wonder fans get hooked on gathering their favorite villagers. However, while these animal pals are the essence of Animal Crossing, adding too many might not always be for the best.

The journey began back in 2001 with the original Animal Crossing, launched exclusively in Japan, featuring 215 villagers. Almost every subsequent game saw this number grow — except for Wild World and City Folk. The roster has nearly doubled since the first game, providing fans with a delightful mix of familiar faces and exciting newcomers.

Adding more villagers remains a key attraction in every Animal Crossing update. Like in Pokémon, there’s that irresistible urge among players to “Catch ’em all!” We can expect this trend to continue with future releases as more villagers will await to win our hearts or become the ones we love to loathe.

New installments may even introduce previously unseen types of villagers. Perhaps the most obvious way to expand is to introduce a new species. Currently, Animal Crossing features 35 different species, with mammals and birds like rabbits, dogs, and cats topping the list. Oddly enough, octopi and frogs are the only species that aren’t birds or mammals. We could be in for a treat if they decide to add reptiles or fish next!

While Flick, the chameleon, is part of the Animal Crossing world, he’s not your typical villager. His insect enthusiasm is unparalleled, but alas, he’s not someone you can invite to stay.

Thinking beyond species, there’s the potential for more diverse personality types. Unlike species, there are currently only eight personality categories in the game. It could be exciting to see quirky new additions like “crybaby” or a sweet “shy” type. Villagers already have distinct personalities, and more traits would only enrich our interactions with them.

These potential additions could give a future Animal Crossing game an edge over previous titles. Given its simple gameplay mechanics, every new entry in the series needs a fresh twist to keep players engaged. For instance, in Pocket Camp, players focused on decorating a campsite rather than an island or town, which gave it a unique spin. Introducing new species and personalities could be just the new angle a future game needs.

Of course, we can’t ignore the downsides. For each positive addition of villagers, there’s a potential negative. Some players relish the challenge of collecting every villager, while others focus on finding their favorites. Increasing the villager count can make it more difficult for players to encounter their top picks. The hype around buying and hunting for villagers reached new heights with New Horizons. Should a new game present another sensation, similar to Raymond from New Horizons, these trends might skyrocket again.

Moreover, quantity doesn’t guarantee quality. Without incorporating new species or personality types, we risk spawning multiple villagers with similar traits. Imagine yet another trio of Jock-type cats alongside Stinky, Rudy, and Kid Cat!

Ultimately, we won’t see the full picture of adding more villagers until a new game is launched, revealing how these additions work within the game. Until then, players can enjoy hunting down their favorite villagers and completing their collections in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.