A player in Animal Crossing: New Horizons has recreated the set of Jeopardy! in commemoration of Alex Trebek. The beloved game show host passed away yesterday at the age of 80 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. Trebek set a golden standard for game show hosts over his 36 year tenure as the host of Jeopardy!, and is widely considered one of the best hosts in the industry.
Trebek never had much to do with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo's iconic life simulation game. But he's far from the first pop culture icon to be represented by fans using the game's extensive customization options. Players have been constantly pushing the envelope of what's possible in Animal Crossing, creating stunning works of art and hosting wildly ambitious events, including a high-end fashion show. These works extend constantly into the world of pop culture as well; one fan even used the game's creation tools to recreate the opening sequence from the classic cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, with player-controlled villagers and one anthropomorphic dog filling the roles of the gang in a surprisingly faithful rendering.
Now another fan is using the iconic game as a tribute to Alex Trebek. Reddit user therealeddiemoney paid their respects to the iconic host by building a Jeopardy! set in the game, using Harv's Island to bring animal villagers in to play the roles. The player stands behind a podium, alongside two other villagers. The irreplaceable Alex Trebek is played by Raymond, a beloved cat villager known for his high rarity and immense value to players. The studio lights are all set up for the game, and there's even a board displaying answers that have yet to be provided questions. It's a very touching memorial.
This isn't the first time the world of TV has collided so directly with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Earlier this year, Gary Whitta hosted a talk show in-game, voice chatting with prominent guests while their avatars appeared and interacted in an authentic studio space built in the game to give people something to watch during COVID-19 lockdowns. The show was so well received that Whitta started another talk show taking place during beloved battle royale Fall Guys.
The loss of Alex Trebek will be felt for a long time to come. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, joy, and entertainment, and it's hard to imagine anyone hosting Jeopardy! as well as he did. His final episode is set to air on Christmas Day, and after that, the future of the show is uncertain. As this Animal Crossing: New Horizons creation proves, Alex Trebek will be sorely missed by fans from all walks of life.
Source: therealeddiemoney