Considered by many to be “the official containment game” in France, Animal Crossing: New Horizons will have marked millions of players around the world. Since its release on March 20, Nintendo’s title has sold more than 22 million copies and is the second best seller of the machine.
While French players immediately recognized the potential of this calming sandbox game, so did their Japanese counterparts. During the Tokyo Game Show, a Japanese trade fair which is currently in full swing, a panel of judges chose to award the Game of the Year award (best game of the year) at Animal Crossing: New Horizons. A rather logical decision, encouraged by Phil Spencer, boss of Xbox, who took the opportunity to recall his interest in video games made in Japan.
Japan is a creative superpower in this industry, with iconic characters who represent great moments in the gaming history of millions of gamers around the world. Yakuza, Metal Gear, Biohazard (editor’s note: Resident Evil), Persona, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy and more with the recent phenomenon of Animal Crossing. Japan and its makers have shaped so much of this magic that we look forward to when it’s time to play. This culture and community has had a profound influence on gaming across the world, on all screens, on Xbox fans and on our team – Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox
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