Players are indebted to Tom Nook from nearly the moment they first showtime Animal Crossing: New Horizons , spending much of the early game working to pay off their initial house loan (so upgrades). In fact, this feature has been a major function of just about every game in the series; which has pb some to wonder what exactly would happen if they decide to forgo it altogether and merely refuse to pay off their debts to Tom Nook entirely.

ACNH follows the formula that has become all just standard for the franchise at this point: players build a firm, pay off Tom Nook, and and so are immune to upgrade their dwelling house in New Horizons to increasingly larger sizes and levels of complexity. These upgrades, of course, price even more than Bells, and by the stop of the game players will be looking at paying millions total if they're aiming to completely max out their house. While the larger size and extensive customization options may exist worth it to some, many players have come to dread the thought of the hours of work it takes to earn enough to repeatedly pay off Tom Nook's many layers of abode loans.

Fortunately, the house upgrades in New Horizons aren't mandatory. Players don't have to expand their domicile further if they don't want to, although this option likely isn't favorable for those who are approaching Animal Crossing from a completionist mindset. Other than limiting house size and restricting actor goals within New Horizons, though, are there any major consequences to exist aware of when opting not to pay back Tom Nook?

How Does Not Paying Off Loans Impact Animal Crossing?

The loans in New Horizons don't operate off of any particular schedule. There's no gear up due date for any of the payments, and Tom Nook will seemingly expect indefinitely with little urgency for players to pay him back. This means that there'south plenty of time to make up one's mind whether the loans are worth it, besides equally to earn enough money to make it through all of the upgrades, allowing players to experience the game at their own pace and earn more than Bells utilizing whichever methods they find well-nigh enjoyable. Creature Crossing arguably isn't meant to be a stressful experience, so it doesn't button loans equally an immediate trouble to be resolved. They don't accumulate involvement over time, either; it'due south worth noting, however, that players will be unable to take out new loans until they pay off whatsoever outstanding ones they may have.

Seeing every bit then many Animate being Crossing fans use the serial every bit a relaxing escape, leading in part toNew Horizons' reputation as a "cozy game", it seems similar it would exist opposite to the pattern of the series if loans were to change in the time to come to become more than of a pressing business concern. Conversely, calculation in more consequences to refusing to pay back Tom Nook could add new gameplay elements into New Horizons, something that could assistance the game recover from its current lack of meaningful content. Given that boosted Animal Crossing: New Horizons updates seem probable in the about hereafter, it's probable that players could detect out shortly if the game'south approach to loans will be changing any time soon.

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About The Writer

Ky Shinkle (542 Manufactures Published)

Ky Shinkle is a Senior Gaming Features Author for Screen Rant as well as an overall avid gamer and writer. Her prior experience is primarily that of a narrative designer for video games, although her writing has covered all formats from screenplays and novels to stage scripts. A graduate of the Savannah College of Fine art and Design, when she isn't writing she works on digital media projects and other types of fiction writing. Ky currently works out of Ohio and enjoys spending her free time either playing RPGs or running with her dog.

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