Animal crossing was almost given by another name

A recent interview threw several lights Animal crossingThe first days and revealing that the English version almost won a different title. Although Animal crossing The series is now considered the popular fans of the record, the first days working on the English language had some unique complications.

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Animal crossing was originally called DOBUTSU NO MORIAnd this title continued to carry in Japan. Literally it translates on Animal forestWhich is quite different from the title with which the English speaking audience ended. Now the discussion with a member of the localization team for the game has spoken of a completely different title with which it almost ended.

Former Nintendo localization manager speaks of animal transition

DOBUTSU NO MORI eventually became Animal crossing in the west, but it was almost called Animal acres. Leslie Swan, former Nintendo localization manager, spoke with an extension of time about her time in the field and worked with a game company, including working on Animal crossing. According to Swan, several names were hovering for the translated version of the title, with her favorite being Animal acres Given that the urban grid of the original game reminds them of acres. Swan also noted that the team wanted to keep the “animal” and “forest” as part of the title, but it didn't work.

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While the title itself is interesting enough, Swan also described some difficulties with the location of the game. Animal crossing It was a much greater challenge than many games that worked on the previous one, because the content of the game “was so specific to Japan”. She noted that the team had to rename all the characters, rework their catching, game events and even items. Nintendo Higher-Ups were apparently known for localization. When the project was introduced by the Nintendo Dev Takashi thesis, he warned against the start that the location of the game would be difficult. Month later, when the localization project was unveiled by the Sator Iwata, he actually laughed and said he had no idea how the team could do.

Promo art representing characters from animal crossing

Obviously, the work that the team put in the original Animal crossing pay off. While the initial game was not a huge success in the West, it gained the following, which continued to grow as soon as the subsequent release of the players appears. Eventually Animal crossing: New Horizons saw the series became a worldwide hit, with New horizons Breaking sales records and becoming a popular escape for players during the pandemic. While the series has taken a long way, the foundations set in the original English edition of the GameCube title have been made to this day.