Understanding Player Retention Strategies in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

What is it about?

This paper is about understanding what game features within Animal Crossing: New Horizons had an effect on whether players continue playing the game for a long period of time or resume gameplay after taking a break from the game. Specifically, we wanted to see whether non-playable characters (NPCs), specifically the villagers that live on a player's island, affect how long a player would continue playing ACNH or whether the villagers are motivating factors for why a player would resume gameplay after a break.

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Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This work is novel and can inspire game developers to follow a similar model that the Animal Crossing franchise has set up, especially in the role-playing game category.