The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted millions of people to adopt new hobbies in order to survive quarantine and social distancing. For many, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides necessary good vibes: Focusing on maintaining an island paradise, meeting characters and customizing villagers was huge for helping players maintain their mental health, especially in the early days of the pandemic.

Several institutions are already seeking to immortalize memories, thoughts and stories to document the cultural impact of COVID-19. One such institution is the National Videogame Museum, which has opened a public request for people's stories about how Animal Crossing: New Horizons helped them through the pandemic. The National Videogame Museum recognizes how New Horizons became a replacement for many in-person events, such as parties and get-togethers, as well as election rallies, protests and even corporate marketing events.

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The NVM project, entitled the Animal Crossing Diaries, will chronicle how New Horizons' creative environment became a natural draw for people to continue their social lives in a digital space, as well as a new way for people to connect from all over the world.

Players are able to shape New Horizons to whatever experience they like. Those who enjoy design and creating environments can focus on customizing their islands, while others can give gifts to and spend time with their villagers, design clothing and custom patterns, create in-game art or spend time with new and old friends alike.

The NVM also points to how New Horizons became part of people's routines. Keeping a sense of routine during the pandemic is an important part of staying sane, and New Horizons has plenty of ways to maintain a sense of structureDifferent villager types keep different schedules, recurring and one-time events give players something to look forward to, shops have established hours and there are daily tasks that should be completed to truly thrive on each island.

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Through outlining how New Horizons impacted people's routines and stories during a pandemic, the NVM can share how the game gave players a sense of solace and plenty of good memories even during a very dark time.

National Videogame Museum Director of Culture Iain Simons said, "It’s no surprise that this incredibly creative, social space became a safe haven for millions during this turbulent year." The Animal Crossing Diaries project is a great way to document and preserve the game's importance.

For those who wish to share their stories, the NVM has set up a website that hosts an open-ended form. The NVM is willing to accept people's stories in a wide range of formats, as long as the content is original and submitted with permission from anyone involved. If there's a type of content that can't be uploaded via the form, the NVM also offers a contact option to discuss.

The website states that stories ranging from huge social events to mundane moments are all valid. The main focus seems to be on how New Horizons helped people through a globally challenging time. Anyone is welcome to submit their experiences to the museum to be a testament to how games can help all kinds of people -- from hardcore to casual gamers -- adapt to a pandemic.

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