‘A fascinating insight into pandemic psychology’: how Animal Crossing gave us an escape
It was the biggest online game in lockdown. Now the National Videogame Museum has collected players’ experiences to find out what it meant to them
March 2023
Hot buttons: why fashion houses are getting into video games
As players spend more and more time and money in the digital hangout spaces provided by video games, it makes sense for fashion houses to join them there – opening up exciting worlds of rule-breaking design
February 2023
‘Get something that’s fun to play, then think about the story’: how Nintendo keeps levelling up
With 100m sales of its Switch console, a new Mario movie and even a California theme park, the Japanese tech giant is riding high again. What’s its secret?
September 2022
‘Economists should study it’: inside Disney Dreamlight Valley, the latest game taking over TikTok
‘Disney Animal Crossing’ is all over the video platform, but is it merely an imitation of everyone’s favourite pandemic play? Or will Mickey and co have you enthralled?
December 2021
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Pushing Buttons: was 2021 the worst year ever for games?
Pushing Buttons newsletter
Pushing Buttons: the sketchy economy that helps Roblox make its millions
November 2021
Old friends and new horizons: my emotional return to Animal Crossing
The smash-hit Nintendo Switch game has been updated with a wealth of new content – and no shortage of familiar comforts
May 2021
‘A wonderful escape’: the rise of gaming parents – and grandparents
Video game popularity soared during the pandemic, as people sought distraction and ways to connect with loved ones
March 2021
Lockdown boredom drives UK video games market to £7bn record high
Gaming fans joined by million of newbies in 2020 resulting in £1.6bn more spent compared with 2019
December 2020
Games prove Christmas hit as UK spends holiday in lockdown
Best culture 2020
The 15 best video games of 2020
November 2020
Lockdown culture
Culture to cheer you up during the second lockdown: part one
As parts of the UK enters another month – at least – of being stuck indoors, our critics pick out top music, games, books, TV, dance and art fixes to lift your spirits
October 2020
Australian arts in focus
'Video game planes emit real carbon': why gaming is not merely guilt-free escapism
Video games seem like radical relief from hard reality, but they’re also deeply implicated in the problems we collectively face
September 2020
Animal Crossing: Biden campaign offers virtual yard signs in Nintendo game
Move is part of effort to make virtual inroads with voters at a time when many traditional campaign events are considered unsafe
June 2020
Think Animal Crossing is just a cutesy 'capitalist dystopia'? Think again
Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ simulated paradise is said to have a dark capitalist underbelly. But a popular subreddit where players can donate items reveals the kindness – and generosity – of strangers
May 2020
Escaping lockdown into a world of video games is nothing to feel guilty about
Francisco Garcia
Right now, we all need to take refuge somewhere, and there are worse things than a few snatched hours on Animal Crossing or Red Dead Redemption, says journalist Francisco Garcia
'It’s a way to live out fantasies': how Animal Crossing became fashion's new catwalk
The biggest video game of lockdown has become a new home for fashion lovers where avatars can dress in Prada, Off-White or Sports Banger hoodies
The best games of 2020 so far
Lockdown culture
'It's uniting people': why 11 million are playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The allure of Animal Crossing? You get to play God