What Video Game Takes 400 Days to Beat?
The video game most commonly cited as taking approximately 400 days to beat is Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This isn’t about frantic button-mashing or mastering complex combat systems. Instead, it’s a consequence of the game’s core mechanics, which are deeply interwoven with real-time progression and daily events. Progress in Animal Crossing: New Horizons hinges on the passage of time in the real world. Building upgrades, deliveries, and the arrival of new villagers all operate on a scheduled, day-by-day basis. While time-traveling is possible, playing the game as intended, and experiencing everything it offers, can realistically stretch to well over a year. This slow-burn approach is precisely what makes it so appealing to many players.
Why 400 Days? The Nuances of Animal Crossing’s Pace
The 400-day estimate isn’t a rigid rule; it’s a reflection of the average time it takes a player to complete most of the game’s content. It’s important to clarify what “beating” Animal Crossing: New Horizons actually means. Unlike traditional games with a definitive ending, Animal Crossing is open-ended and largely self-directed. There’s no final boss to defeat or a clear “Game Over” screen. Instead, players set their own goals, which might include:
- Achieving a 5-star island rating: This requires extensive landscaping, crafting, and villager interactions.
- Completing the museum: Filling the museum with every bug, fish, fossil, and artwork is a significant time investment.
- Collecting all the villagers: Acquiring specific villagers can be a lengthy process involving campsite visits and island hopping.
- Crafting all the DIY recipes: This often necessitates acquiring rare resources and recipes, which appear randomly.
- Designing the “perfect” island: This involves hours of terraforming, designing custom patterns, and placing furniture.
The 400-day figure assumes a player is actively pursuing these goals and engaging with the game on a regular basis. It also accounts for seasonal events, such as holidays and fishing tournaments, which offer unique items and experiences that are only available at specific times of the year. Skipping days through time travel will significantly shorten this time, but it can also diminish the intended experience and potentially lead to unintended consequences within the game’s ecosystem.
Beyond Animal Crossing: Games That Test Your Patience
While Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the poster child for long-term gaming commitment, other titles demand significant time investment:
- MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games): Games like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, and Elder Scrolls Online are designed to be played for years. Maxing out characters, acquiring rare gear, and completing all the content can take thousands of hours.
- Simulation Games: Titles like Crusader Kings III and Football Manager require players to manage complex systems and make strategic decisions over extended periods, often spanning in-game decades or even centuries.
- Persistent World Games: Games such as No Man’s Sky and Minecraft offer vast, procedurally generated worlds with near-infinite possibilities, encouraging long-term exploration and building.
- Gacha Games: Certain gacha games also can take a lot of time to beat depending on how lucky the user is, and how dedicated they are to get all the heroes in the game.
These games encourage a dedicated time investment, often providing endless content and rewarding players for their commitment.
The Appeal of the Long Game
Why do players willingly invest hundreds of hours, or even days, into a single video game? The answer lies in the unique rewards and experiences that these games offer:
- Sense of Accomplishment: Completing long-term goals provides a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
- Community: Many of these games foster strong communities, providing players with opportunities to connect with others who share their passion. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org has done extensive research into the learning and social aspects of gaming communities.
- Relaxation: Some players find the repetitive tasks and gradual progression of these games to be relaxing and therapeutic.
- Creative Expression: Games like Animal Crossing and Minecraft offer creative outlets, allowing players to design and build their own virtual worlds.
- Escapism: These games provide an escape from the stresses of daily life, allowing players to immerse themselves in a virtual world and take on a different role.
Ultimately, the decision to invest time in a long-term video game is a personal one. For some, it’s a rewarding and enriching experience, while for others, it’s simply not worth the commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you really beat Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 400 days?
Yes, it’s a realistic timeframe for completing a substantial portion of the game’s content and achieving major milestones without resorting to time travel or other exploits. However, “beating” the game is subjective, as there’s no definitive ending.
2. Is time-traveling cheating in Animal Crossing?
That depends on your perspective. Some players view it as a legitimate way to speed up progress, while others consider it to be against the spirit of the game. Nintendo does not explicitly prohibit it.
3. What happens if you don’t play Animal Crossing for a long time?
Your villagers will miss you, your island might become overgrown with weeds, and you might miss out on seasonal events. However, the game will continue to progress, and you can always pick up where you left off.
4. Are there any other games that take as long to beat as Animal Crossing?
Yes, many MMORPGs and simulation games can take hundreds or even thousands of hours to fully experience.
5. What is the longest video game ever made?
It’s difficult to definitively say, as completion time varies greatly depending on play style and goals. However, some MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and Eve Online have the potential for near-infinite playtime.
6. How can I speed up my progress in Animal Crossing?
You can trade resources and items with other players, optimize your island design to attract rare bugs and fish, and consult online guides for tips and tricks.
7. Is Animal Crossing: New Horizons still popular?
Yes, it remains a popular and beloved game, with a dedicated community of players.
8. What makes Animal Crossing so addictive?
Its charming characters, relaxing gameplay, creative possibilities, and the constant stream of new content keep players engaged.
9. Is there a point to playing a game for 400 days?
The “point” is subjective. For many players, the joy lies in the journey, the sense of accomplishment, and the connections they make with other players.
10. Does Animal Crossing have an ending?
No, Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not have a traditional ending. It’s designed to be played indefinitely.
11. Are there any skills you can learn from playing Animal Crossing?
Yes, it can improve your creativity, problem-solving skills, resource management abilities, and social skills.
12. What’s the best way to get started in Animal Crossing?
Focus on completing the initial tasks given by Tom Nook, explore your island, and talk to your villagers. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun!
13. Can I play Animal Crossing with friends?
Yes, you can visit your friends’ islands and invite them to visit yours. You can also participate in shared activities, such as fishing, bug catching, and crafting.
14. Is Animal Crossing suitable for all ages?
Yes, it’s generally considered to be a family-friendly game.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?
Explore the research and resources available at the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to understand the potential for learning and development through video games.