Politics no longer a part of the game in 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'

Nintendo wants to pull the plug on politics in its popular video game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons."

The popular game for the Nintendo Switch just got a special holiday update with new winter weather features and special in-game events tied to Turkey Day (Nov. 26), Toy Day (Dec. 24) and New Year's Eve.

But Nintendo also issued some updated guidelines for businesses and organizations for "Animal Crossing" that could nix politics in the game. "Please also refrain from bringing politics into the Game," read the guidelines issued Thursday.

The Biden-Harris presidential campaign was active in the game, letting players place campaign signs on their virtual turf, and even creating a Biden headquarters office on its island in the game. Earlier in the year, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., took time to visit some players' island homes in the game.

Biden-Harris campaign launches yard signs on "Animal Crossing: New Horizons."
Biden-Harris campaign launches yard signs on "Animal Crossing: New Horizons."

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Nintendo's new guidelines addressed businesses and organizations: "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."

Nintendo did not immediately return a request for comment about the decision and whether it would prevent activities such as those the Biden-Harris campaign or Ocasio-Cortez had done.

Neither the Biden-Harris campaign nor Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's office offered comment.

The video game 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' has gotten a new update with holiday events including Turkey Day (Nov. 26) and Toy Day (Dec. 24).
The video game 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' has gotten a new update with holiday events including Turkey Day (Nov. 26) and Toy Day (Dec. 24).

The update also allows players to store more in their virtual island homes and to transfer their game data to another Switch.

Sales of "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" over the six months ending Sept. 30, 2020, numbered 14.27 million, bringing its total sales to more than 26 million, according to Nintendo.

The Biden-Harris campaign also made a stop in the online game "Fortnite," creating a "Build Back Better" map for players to explore. Ocasio-Cortez joined fellow U.S. House Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., to play the video game "Among Us" on the Twitch streaming service in a get-out-the-vote session.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Politics off limits now in 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'