apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Guest Post: Kawaii Decorating 101

(Checking back in with Chicago! Welcome to Janel, a guest poster from Second City who is trying out for the editor's role. Comment away.)

2-10-janel1.jpgAnimal Crossing: Wild World is a game for the Nintendo DS portable system. Originally a Japanese game called Oideyo Doubutsu no Mori, Animal Crossing depicts a real-time town that the player moves to and sets up house in.

It is an open-ended game, with no way to win, but lots of Japanese-style wackiness to explore. The player is a homeowner, with a mortgage to pay (no renovations until its paid off) neighbors (both sweet and surly) to get to know, and, most importantly, rooms to furnish!

2-10-acinterior_cropped.jpgYes, a huge part of this game is interior design. Collect furniture (we like the classic Chinese Exotic collection), buy wallpaper, floor coverings, plants and art. Goods are obtained at the local department store or through the shady black market dealer who arrives mysteriously once a week. Attendance at the monthly flea market where town folk sell their treasures at great prices is a must.

Color and placement of pieces is important, as in-game luck is based on the feng shui score. Adjusting interiors to maximize good feng shui means more presents and money will be on the way.

2-10-ac_classic_sofa.jpgCant find a carpet or wall paper thats really YOU? The game allows the player to design patterns and apply them to walls, floor, and clothing. Designs can be sold at the boutique and you may see a neighbor wearing it proudly.

Just like real life, finding the perfect piece is a worthwhile quest, because the HRA - the Happy Room Academy - will be checking up. Once a week, a letter arrives with a score on the current room design. The HRA is hard to please, so be sure to develop a thick skin, because its not always easy to be ahead of the design curveeven virtually. - Janel

Comments (6)

Oh my! A video game that *I* can relate to!

Must... back... away... from computer NOW.

posted by wende in san francisco on 2006-02-10 16:41:51

Wow. It sounds almost like the very next phase of what we're doing in here! Ha!

posted by Curtis on 2006-02-10 16:09:03

Maybe I need to get a Nintendo? This sounds awesome!

posted by Szig on 2006-02-10 17:03:43

i still play the gamecube version (which is less then $20 now, but no online play) and it owns me! I'm out of town this week and i shudder to thing the state of my town when i get back.

and while the in game version of "modern" furniture is not to my taste, i still have the entire "modern"
furniture theme in my "house"

Yes the game is addictive if you have a slight case of OCD like myself, you find yourself just walking around planting fruit trees, fishing, and running errands for your neighbors.

Yes it's insane, and no i cannot make you understand!

posted by minh on 2006-02-10 17:52:32

oooh fun! i fell head over heals for nintendogs and that crazy diner dash game so i'm sure that when i have time, i'll be checking this out - esp. if it means changing wallpaper and picking colors! :)
YEAH
holly :)

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