grief on the island

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have flocked to Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch to escape to their personal island paradise. For players across the globe, myself included, this virtual paradise serves as a mental escape or virtual happy place that can also be used to self-care or remember loved ones. Animal Crossing players are using the open-ended design of the game to create beautiful gardens, altars, or memorial areas for their loved ones, pets, celebrities, or memories.