RAB Source Entry #1- Julian Georgi

Part 1: MLA Citation

Khan, Imad. “Why Animal Crossing Is the Game for the Coronavirus Moment.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Apr. 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/arts/animal-crossing-covid-coronavirus-popularity-millennials.html.

 

Summary:

Imad Khan New York Times article discusses the hit game Animal Crossing and how it’s helped people through the tough times through the pandemic. Imad also explains the core features and mechanic’s of the game going as far as explaining the appeal to the gamer’s playing it. In his article he states “In Animal Crossing, players take on the role of a lone human on an island filled with pudgy anthropomorphic animals. Players are tasked with building a thriving society, filling it with shops, bridges and other accommodations for its residents.” By giving the simple explanation it can give a clear image on what the game is, your just a little mayor building your own town. Throughout the piece he uses people’s experience’s to convey on how the game can be soothing and even relaxing on the mind. “On Sunday night, I got onto my island, I opened it up, within an hour I had four friends, two colleagues, and two clients in recovery who were all hanging out on this island and having a mini support meeting,” said Mr. Gorordo, a former heroin addict.” The main purpose of the game is not just to build your own little oasis it’s to build a comunnity that you can share with people around the world.

 

Reflection:

Imad Khan attempts to show us the reader during these times of uncertainty there’s alternatives to cope. Mr. Gorodo an important figure in the article states “So much of recovery from addiction or mental health issues is connection,” Mr. Gorordo said. “With so much of us trapped in our houses right now, meeting up virtually has us support each other in this game in a way we haven’t, being self-isolated and in quarantine.” He expresses the pain of self isolation in a time where it’s required however, he’s at least happy that he can get some form of interaction granted it may not be physically but its virtually. Personally I’d take this kind of interaction over anything especially in a time where it isn’t safe to go out of your home. Throughout the height of the pandemic I had a similar coping game just like animal crossing for me it was Minecraft.

Rhetorical / Genre Analysis

It’s obvious that the target audience of Imad Khan’s piece is people who are struggling through the pandemic and gamers. His main objective was to shine light on a game that could bring people together in a time where being together isn’t possible. Imad uses many people (besides Joseph Gorordo) and their takes on the video game with all the result’s coming back positive. Mr. Khan also has other articles on Gaming, esports, technology, politics and health. In a world where the concept of interaction doesn’t seem possible just know games like animal crossing can prove you wrong.

Notable Quoteable’s

 

 

There are no high scores, vampire Nazis or final bosses. The game is played at a relaxed pace, in which the player can do as much or as little as they want on any given day. Upbeat acoustic jams or sultry bossa nova synths play in the background. (Khan 3)

Indeed, there have been more than 38 million tweets about the game since its release, many celebrating its ability to provide comfort and social connection in a time of isolation and struggle. (Khan 6)

“Animal Crossing makes work feel soothing — we call it gentle progression,” said Jennifer Scheurle, 31, lead game designer at Arena Net in Seattle, the developers behind the Guild Wars franchise. Ms. Scheurle said Animal Crossing’s pace — players chop wood or build a bridge at their own speed, for example — makes it feel both personal and predictable. (Khan 15)