#Joe Biden banned from ‘Animal Crossing’ for ‘bringing politics into game’

New guidelines released for the “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” video game will reportedly ban islands like the one built for the President-elect’s 2020 campaign.

High-profile players, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, entered Nintendo’s blockbuster game after soaring in popularity over the summer, prompted by pandemic lockdown measures that kept most Americans indoors and online.

By September, the campaign for the President-elect along with V.P.-elect Kamala Harris had launched their own island, encouraging players to get out the vote I.R.L.

Now, it seems Nintendo has walked-back their policy on campaigning via the “Animal Crossing” platform, following a newly published set of rules, coinciding with the game’s seasonal update.

Among rules that prohibit vulgar or offensive content, they also write, “Please also refrain from bringing politics into the game.”

It also states that players cannot use the game “as a marketing platform that directs people to activities or campaigns outside the game (including directing people to a sales page, distributing coupons, sweepstakes, giveaways, requiring consumers to follow social network services accounts, gathering customers’ information, or other invitational activities).”

“Any business use of the Game that exceeds the rules set forth herein shall be permitted only with the separate and express, written permission of Nintendo,” they conclude.

Despite the new rules, Biden’s island remains open for visitors currently.