Animal Crossing has been very popular since the game was first released last month. It has gone on to become the fastest-selling Switch title ever in Japan and topped the physical sales charts in the UK. The game definitely has its hooks in plenty of countries. However, it looks like players in China will have to jump through some hoops if they want to get their hands on it because Chinese retailers have taken down all listings of the hit game.
Reuters reported that two of the most popular e-commerce sites in both Pinduoduo and Taobao have removed all listings of Animal Crossing from their sites. The Chinese government hasn’t released a statement regarding the mysteriously removal. An order from the government does seem like the most likely reason for the absence though.
New Horizons has become a popular way for pro-democracy protestors to gather together in China. Due to the limitations that coronavirus has set on many countries, people have found other ways to congregate with this being one of them. Chinese protestors have begun to gather on other players’ islands where they have partaken in small protests.
This is how #hongkong ppl spend our time during coronavirus lockdown – villain hitting in #animalcrossing, the villain is #CarrieLam, the worst governor in #hongkong history.#AnimalCrossingNewHorizons#StandWithHK pic.twitter.com/K5AbOTl9tD
— Studio Incendo (@studioincendo) April 1, 2020
Wired UK had an interview with a pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong. He stated: “Animal Crossing is a place without political censorship, so it is a good place to continue our fight. Even lawmakers in Hong Kong are playing this game”
While online retailers have brought the hammer down on the sales of this game, there are still ways imported Switch owners can grab a copy of the game. Imported systems can still download the title from the Nintendo eShop by setting up an international account. There have even been some online resellers that do not mention the game by name so that they can arrange a sale through private messaging.
The country has not taken the next step by blocking access to Nintendo’s servers. This would, of course, block digital sales of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but it would also block sales of all other digital titles as well. If this measure is taken, this could cause some animosity with Nintendo and Tencent.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is currently available for the Nintendo Switch. Make sure to check out DualShockers’ official review right here.
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