NB: I have made a few changes to the previous post on convergence. Nothing in the other one is wrong, so I am going to leave that available on the blog, but I think this one is a little better, especially because it identifies when there is a better example in another game.
Convergence in the video game industry refers to the blending and integration of different technologies, platforms, business models, and media to create more unified and interconnected gaming experiences. This convergence can be seen in various aspects, such as technological integration, cross-platform play, media collaboration, business model diversification, and social engagement. In the case of Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH), while it provides some interesting examples of convergence, certain limitations and design choices mean that it may not fully demonstrate all aspects of convergence in the same way other more complex games do. Below are different types of convergence within the video game industry, with specific examples, many of which will focus on Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
1. Technological Convergence
Definition: The merging of different technologies into a single platform or ecosystem, enabling more integrated and versatile experiences.
Examples:
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Cloud Gaming:
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Cloud gaming allows players to stream high-quality games across various devices without requiring high-end hardware. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now are prime examples of technological convergence within the industry. These services make it easier for players to access titles without the need for dedicated hardware.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not feature cloud gaming in the traditional sense, as it is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. However, there are cloud saves available for some Nintendo Switch games through Nintendo Switch Online, allowing players to back up their progress and recover it on a different device if necessary. However, this is not as widely integrated as the cloud gaming seen in other games, such as Fortnite, which can be streamed on various platforms.
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Multifunction Consoles:
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Modern gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, serve not only as gaming devices but also as multimedia hubs offering access to streaming apps, internet browsing, and social features.
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While Animal Crossing: New Horizons is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, which is not as multifunctional as PlayStation or Xbox consoles, it does support Nintendo Switch Online for multiplayer interactions and cloud-saving, a more streamlined approach compared to its rivals. However, it does not quite match the broader multimedia capabilities of systems like PlayStation 5, where users can access a variety of services beyond gaming, such as entertainment apps and video streaming.
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2. Cross-Platform Convergence
Definition: The ability for games to be played across multiple platforms with shared progress and multiplayer functionality.
Examples:
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Cross-Play and Cross-Progression:
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Fortnite and Minecraft support full cross-platform play, allowing players on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and mobile to play together with progress and purchases carrying over between devices.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not support cross-platform play as it is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch. This limits its cross-platform convergence capabilities. The game does allow for online visits to other players' islands, but all players must be using a Nintendo Switch and are tied to the Nintendo ecosystem.
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In comparison, Minecraft offers a much broader example of cross-platform convergence, as players across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and mobile can interact and share content seamlessly.
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Subscription Services:
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Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus allow players to access a library of games across multiple platforms (consoles, PCs, and mobile devices), often with shared progress and benefits across platforms.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not operate on a subscription service like Game Pass, and its online features are tied to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. While this allows for online multiplayer, cloud saves, and exclusive content (such as access to N64 games), it does not offer the same flexibility as a more expansive cross-platform service like Xbox Game Pass, which lets users access games across a wide range of devices and platforms.
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3. Vertical Integration
Definition: When a company controls multiple stages of the production and distribution process within the gaming industry.
Examples:
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Sony:
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Sony controls multiple stages of its gaming experience: it owns Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games (game studios), produces PlayStation hardware, and distributes games through the PlayStation Store.
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The Last of Us series is a key example, as it was developed in-house by Naughty Dog and distributed exclusively through PlayStation platforms, showcasing vertical integration.
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Nintendo:
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Nintendo follows a similar model by controlling its hardware and software development. Animal Crossing: New Horizons was developed by Nintendo and is distributed exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, which was also developed by Nintendo. This gives Nintendo a high degree of vertical integration, as they control the entire user experience from hardware development to software creation and game distribution.
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This level of vertical integration in Nintendo differs from other companies like Sony or Microsoft, where third-party titles and external developers often play a more significant role in their ecosystems.
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4. Horizontal Integration
Definition: When a company acquires or merges with other companies at the same level of the value chain to expand market share or reduce competition.
Examples:
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Microsoft:
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Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media (owner of Bethesda), and later Activision Blizzard, demonstrates horizontal integration within the gaming industry. This allows Microsoft to control a greater portion of the gaming market, including massive franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Call of Duty.
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Nintendo:
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Nintendo has not engaged in major horizontal integration in the context of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While Nintendo has acquired smaller studios (e.g., Next Level Games), it has not pursued large-scale acquisitions as seen with Microsoft or Sony. Instead, Nintendo focuses heavily on internal development, prioritizing proprietary games and franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing. This limits Nintendo’s horizontal integration compared to its competitors in terms of acquiring large external companies.
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5. Media Convergence
Definition: The integration of gaming with other forms of media, such as films, television, social media, and music.
Examples:
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TV and Film Tie-Ins:
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Some games, like Cyberpunk 2077, have expanded into other media forms through collaborations with Netflix to create the animated series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which boosted the game’s popularity.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons, however, has not expanded into film or television yet, though it has inspired several pop culture tie-ins, including collaborations with brands like Sanrio and Mario, offering in-game items that promote cross-media content. These collaborations represent a form of media convergence, as Animal Crossing players get access to content inspired by popular franchises. However, a true media convergence (like a TV series or film adaptation) is still missing from Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
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In-Game Events and Cross-Promotion:
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Games like Fortnite and Rocket League regularly host in-game events that tie into movies, music, and other media, such as concerts or special movie-themed events.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons has held in-game events (e.g., seasonal festivals or special events tied to real-world holidays), but it has not had the same level of collaboration with other media forms. For example, there was no major in-game event tied to a movie or music release during its lifespan, unlike Fortnite or Rocket League which frequently have cross-promotional tie-ins with Marvel, Star Wars, or even major music artists.
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6. Business Model Convergence
Definition: The blending of different revenue models within a single game or ecosystem.
Examples:
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Freemium and Microtransactions:
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Fortnite is a prime example of a game using a freemium model, where players can access the game for free but are encouraged to make in-game purchases, such as skins or battle passes, to unlock additional content.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons uses a more traditional premium sales model, where the game is sold for a one-time fee. However, it has integrated a paid DLC (Happy Home Paradise), which introduces a paid expansion model into an otherwise free-to-play game. While this is not as pervasive as microtransactions, it still represents a form of business model convergence.
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7. Social Convergence
Definition: The integration of social features and networks directly into games, enabling players to interact with each other in meaningful ways.
Examples:
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In-Game Social Hubs:
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Roblox and Second Life are examples of games that have become social platforms in their own right, where players interact and build virtual communities.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons encourages social interactions through online multiplayer, where players can visit each other’s islands, share design ideas, and trade items. It also integrates social media features, such as sharing photos of their island designs or events, but the game's focus on individual play rather than large-scale social hubs limits its potential as a full social convergence platform.
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Conclusion
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers interesting insights into convergence in the gaming industry, particularly in terms of technological integration, social media engagement, and cross-platform experiences. However, its design choices, such as being a Nintendo Switch exclusive, limit the game’s ability to fully participate in broader convergence trends like cross-platform play and cloud gaming. For a more expansive view of convergence in gaming, other titles like Fortnite or Minecraft offer more robust examples, particularly in the realms of cross-platform play, media convergence, and business model diversification. Nevertheless, Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains an excellent example of how even relatively simple games can integrate diverse media and technological advancements.
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