After months of speculation regarding what might come next in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it was announced during the September Nintendo Direct that ACNH will get its own Animal Crossing Direct in October 2021. The announcement came alongside teaser images of Brewster and The Roost, which will be added to the New Horizons museum via a free content update in November. Like past Nintendo Direct showcases, players will be able to tune in online to get further details on Brewster and upcoming New Horizons content.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons struggled with a frustratingly dry summer for content updates. Unlike 2020, which introduced big mechanics like diving and swimming, 2021 has primarily seen repeats of previous events, and little new content to freshen up gameplay and objectives. While base gameplay in New Horizons can keep players busy for dozens of hours, many who have played since release have been holding out hope for updates focused on new Animal Crossing NPCs, shops, or upgrades to boost is already enjoyable about the game.
According to the official Animal Crossing Twitter account, The Animal Crossing Direct will be live on October 15 at 7 AM PT or 10 AM ET. New Horizons fans will be able to tune in on Nintendo's Twitch and YouTube channels for the broadcast. It will also be available after the stream on YouTube, for those who are unable to watch the updates live. While the announcement teaser for the November content update appears to focus on Brewster and The Roost, it is also possible players will learn about plans for upcoming events or other New Horizons' future content.
Animal Crossing Direct: What To Expect About The New Update & Amiibo Cards
It was also confirmed that Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be getting a 5th series of Amiibo cards, which will be revealed during the Animal Crossing Direct. Currently, nothing is known about who might be included in the pack, but it is possible players may have the chance to invite NPCs from past Animal Crossing games, or even obtain exclusive new villagers unique to ACNH. Amiibo cards are a way for players to handpick their Villagers, rather than hunting for certain characters on Mystery Island Tours, and could be a great tool for those considering restarting their New Horizons islands for a fresh town design.
Despite the benefits that major base gameplay updates would have, it seems unlikely that Nintendo will announce expansions to island size or upgrades to existing buildings. With ACNH nearing its second birthday, it is more likely Nintendo will continue to focus on returning events, and add small updates like Brewster and the cafe to keep players interested. Hopefully, Brewster and The Roost will offer Animal Crossing: New Horizons players a few fresh ways to enjoy island life, while revisiting a well-loved location and NPC.