Why video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become a cultural phenomenon

Screenshot of local actress Foo Fang Rong's character in Animal Crossing: New Horizons meeting her fans. PHOTO: FOO FANG RONG
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Fans of actress Foo Fang Rong left words of encouragement and thanks as they exited her island. No, the 24-year-old Singaporean does not have her own island. She was "meeting" her fans on her virtual island in the video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH).

"I saw how I could connect with some of my fans through a game we all enjoyed while sharing and exchanging some in-game tips and items. It helps to bring us closer in a time like this where human contact is a big no-no," she says.

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