AC Cycle Hits 2024; Zelda Depth Beats Support Role
Summary
Established franchises continue to exhibit long, predictable development lifecycles. Nintendo’s Animal Crossing series, for example, appears poised for a new mainline release around 2024, potentially establishing a four-year cycle following the 2020 launch of New Horizons 1. This measured pacing contrasts sharply with the immediate mechanical balancing acts required by new titles like Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders, which must manage PvE durability—such as the Hornet robot’s 1200 HP—against PvP gear advantages that can grant up to a 40% damage boost 2.
Meanwhile, strong narrative design offers depth where technical balancing must dominate. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is praised for showcasing Princess Zelda’s martial prowess and deep emotional investment in characters like Mineru, moving past her typical supportive framing seen in Wind Waker 3. Supporting this focus on character, the PvP degradation in Arc Raiders occurs as players accumulate rare, epic, and legendary gear, potentially stressing the initial cooperation established via proximity chat against durable robots 2. The Animal Crossing analysis confirms Nintendo maintains development cycles ranging from three to seven years between core entries 1.
Key Moments
-
The seven-year gap between New Leaf (2013) and New Horizons (2020) suggests a 3-7 year mainline cycle, but the 2016 update points toward a potential four-year cycle, targeting 2024.
— Article [1] -
Arc Raiders balances PvE and PvP; cooperation via proximity chat is encouraged until players acquire legendary gear, which grants a significant advantage over durable robots like the Wasp.
— Article [2] -
Age of Imprisonment elevates Zelda by focusing on her martial prowess alongside Rauru and her emotional investment in characters like Mineru, moving beyond abstract kingdom protection.
— Article [3]
Different Perspectives
Opposing View
AC timeline suggests 2024 arrival; Zelda depth beats support role.