Pet Crossing: New Horizons

Pet Crossing: New Horizons is an upcoming life simulation video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. A part of the Pet Crossing series, it is scheduled to be released for the Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020.

Gameplay
As in previous installments in the Pet Crossing series, New Horizons is a nonlinear life simulation game played in real-time. The player assumes the role of a customizable character who moves to a deserted island after purchasing a vacation package from Tom Nook, a raccoon character who is a staple of the series.[1] The game proceeds in an open-ended fashion as the player explores the island, and develops it into a community of anthropomorphic animals.[2] Similar to the 2017 spin-off title Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the game introduces a crafting system that allows the player to convert materials into tools and furniture, which can be used to decorate the game's interior and exterior spaces.[3][4] The game will allow the player to customize the appearance of their character at-will, and will not lock specific hairstyles or facial features to specific genders.[5] Players will additionally be able to select their character's skin color, a feature introduced in the 2015 spin-off title Pet Crossing: Happy Home Designer appearing for the first time in a main series Pet Crossing title.

Development
Development of a new main series Pet Crossing title for Nintendo Switch was confirmed in a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2018, with an unspecified 2019 release date.[9] Nintendo released the game's title and first trailer at its E3 2019 Nintendo Direct on June 11, 2019.[10] The company also announced that the game would be delayed until March 20, 2020, stating, "to ensure the game is the best it can be, we must ask that you wait a little longer than we thought."[10] Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser cited a desire to avoid crunch and maintain a healthy work–life balance for Nintendo employees as the primary reason for the delay.[11] Nintendo's stock market value posted a 3.5% loss in reaction to the delay, amounting to a total loss in value of more than US$1 billion.

Related media
A tie-in manga series, Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori: Nonbiri Shima Dayori ( lit.  Gather Pet's Forest: Carefree Island News), began serialization in the manga magazine Ciao on December 28, 2019. The series is written and illustrated by Minori Katō, and follows a villager named Hana who moves to an unpopulated island.