![[image showing three animal crossing characters in the town square.]](https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/files/2020/08/Eb4ZSsKUMAARkv9.jpeg)
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was released on March 20th, 2020 and has since become a cultural phenomenon. Although the game itself has been praised by critics, some suggest that its success is partially attributable to its being released during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these trying times, many people have been affected by anxiety and loneliness stemming from, for example, social isolation and/or loss of work.