Nintendo bans brands from using Animal Crossing: New Horizons for politics Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Nintendo bans brands from using Animal Crossing: New Horizons for politics Biden its time. News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 19 Nov 2020 37 comments Nintendo Switch blockbuster Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become a hub for brands and businesses to attract new customers, stage campaigns, and even hold protests. But, after seeing the game used so prominently, Nintendo has now issued a formal set of guidelines for businesses and organisations, which notably includes the line: "Please also refrain from bringing politics into the game." The announcement of these guidelines - and that political line in particular - comes just weeks after the US election, in which the Biden campaign used Animal Crossing to release virtual yard signs and host an island with information on his campaign and details on how to vote. "We deeply appreciate that so many people around the world are having fun with Animal Crossing: New Horizons (the Game) for Nintendo Switch. Thank you for your support and for helping us build such a wonderful community," Nintendo's guidelines begin. "While our services and products are generally for personal use only, we understand there may be situations in which businesses and organisations would like to use or reference the Game in relation to their business. As such, we would like to share a few guidelines with those businesses, organisations, and anyone representing them, to preserve the experience for the millions of people enjoying the Game recreationally. "If we see your activity is not following these guidelines or is damaging or having bad influence on the community, we may ask you to stop such activity or usage of our contents, and take appropriate actions, including prohibiting your future business usage of the Game." Watch on YouTube The guidelines give the green light to providing custom designs and island Dream Addresses, inviting other players, plus uploading pictures and videos to "family-friendly websites and social networks". But the guidelines also say businesses and organisations should stick to content and activities that align with the game's family-friendly age-rating, avoid anything discriminatory or offensive, and not use it to make money. And then there's also the line about politics. What will Nintendo deem to be political? Do social causes also qualify? And can this ever really be enforced - are these guidelines simply a tool to remove problem cases which are clearly offensive? It's also worth remembering these guidelines relate only to businesses and organisations, rather than personal use. Earlier this year, New Horizons was banned in China after it became a haven for Hong Kong protesters. Players used it to host pro-Hong Kong signs and share designs for anti-Chinese protest clothing. You'd think Nintendo's guidelines wouldn't cover these players acting individually - but we'll have to see if and when Nintendo enforces its rules in the future. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 3 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 10 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 3 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store