ANIMAL CROSSING Fans Turn NEW HORIZONS Into a Horror Movie

In a world ravaged by the worst global pandemic of our lifetime,Opens in a new tab thousands are seeking solace in the escapism of Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New HorizonsOpens in a new tab. Although many of us are forced to self-quarantine and stay at home to help flatten the curve of COVID-19Opens in a new tab and prevent it from spreadingOpens in a new tab, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers players a way to leave the horrors of the real world behindOpens in a new tab as they build a life on a deserted island full of friendly faces, relaxing music, and endless customization options. But we’re not going to talk about those players; today we’re focusing on those inventive lunatics who are using Animal Crossing‘s robust customization options to turn their virtual islands into the stuff of nightmares.

As noted by our colleagues at PolygonOpens in a new tab, Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ wildly inventive playerbase are increasingly turning their idyllic island getaways into abbatoirs of terror. And no, I’m not just talking about the capitalist nightmare in which Tom Nook traps you with increasingly expensive loans. Here’s a peek at some of the haunting tableaus people are creating…

Meanwhile, some dedicated cinephilesOpens in a new tab are using Animal Crossing: New Horizons as their chance to reenact Robert Eggers’ terrifying seaside horror flick The Lighthouse.

Others are using the Animal Crossing pattern makerOpens in a new tab in order to recreate their favorite horror movie posters so they can add some spooky flair to their island homes. (Want to make your own designs? Here’s our handy guideOpens in a new tab!)

Whether they’re making nightmarish hellscapes or reenacting movie scenes, the Animal Crossing community’s bottomless well of creativity never fails to impress. Here’s hoping that this is just the tip of the iceberg as more and more players continue to show us what New Horizons is truly capable of creating.

This is what I imagine Junji Ito’s island looks like.

What’s your favorite horrifying Animal Crossing creation so far? What are you creating with Animal Crossing‘s pattern maker?  Let us know in the comments below.

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Images: Nintendo

Dan Casey is the creative director of Nerdist and the author of books about Star WarsOpens in a new tab and the AvengersOpens in a new tab. Follow him on Twitter (@DanCaseyOpens in a new tab).