it is so funny that we get hyped over such small changes to the game^^
only shows how awesome animal crossing is lol

I was just thinking....why do we need Kappin to bring us to the island now when we can just swim there? It doesn't look THAT far...

@6ch6ris6. Actually, from everything that they've shown/talked about, it sounds like there won't be just small changes again (like City Folk). The whole new Mayor aspect looks to be the first really MAJOR change to the gameplay (customizing your town more and hopefully leading to new interactions with the animals). Also stuff like pants & shoes, plus swimming (especially) are pretty big deals imo. And IF they really do include everything thats shown in the map, well, that could be a pretty big deal too. I think Animal Crossing 3DS has the possiblity of being the best AC game yet.

@Dizzard. Maybe Kappin won't be on the boat again. Maybe he'll be driving the train....gulp Not sure I'd trust him with the train..but you know...

Can't wait till this game comes out. (wish it was this year...)

well if you look at other games there much bigger changes to sequels.

but you are right. this animal crossing will be awesome

At first the idea of a new Animal Crossing game isn't too exciting because they don't really seem to change too much from game to game... But there seems to be enough significant changes to this to make it pretty exciting... I Look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Okay, he's the translation I where I got the info from
Enjoy. It follows the new roundtable video. Credit goes to Tron232 from reddit.

Let me know if/when this gets put somewhere online, and I'll let you know if/when I can fill in the ____s.

Here goes:

***************
Doubutsu no Mori (Animal Crossing's Japanese name)
Developer gathering
***************

***************
Producer
Eguchi Katsuya
***************

Hello, I'm Eguchi, producer of the Animal Crossing series. Today, with the help of three members of the development team, we're going to be talking a little bit about the 3DS version of Animal Crossing. Thank you all for watching.

It just so happens that I have here comments from fans who've played Animal Crossing for Nintendo DS or Wii, submitted through a survey by Club Nintendo.

[Everyone nods]

I was thinking we could go over some of these comments while we introduce the new game. Let's get started.

Everyone: Okay.

Eguchi: Okay, here's our first comment:

***************
Q: What's your favourite way to play the 'Animal Crossing' series?
A: I like to lazily interact with the animals who live in the village, and go about my business in the village at my own pace. I think the daily routines have a realistic feel to them that's good.
-39 years old, male
***************

Eguchi: In my opinion, the idea of letting the user enjoy the game at their own pace doesn't change with the 3DS version, but I'd like to have you introduce some of the new features of the game. Let's start with our Director Kyoukyoku-san.

***************
Director
Kyoukyoku Aya
***************

Kyoukyoku: This time, as a new element for the 3DS version, the player becomes the village's chief, with control over the development of the town and the ability to shape it as they like.

***************
Upper right note: The images and video shown are currently in development.
Note below: While the video shown is displayed in 2D, the final product will be playable in 3D.
Conversation:
Rainy: Huh? You wouldn't happen to be the new village chief, would you? Nice to meet you, I'm Rainy. Let's all have fun together!
***************

Kyoukyoku: Of course how much control you take is up to you.

[subtitle: Become the village chief and manage the village]

Eguchi: Ahh, I see, so it doesn't mean you have to lead an incredibly serious existence. You can choose to put a lot of effort in, but you aren't required to. Becoming the village chief doesn't change that.

Kyoukyoku: Yes. We're hoping experienced players will enjoy is as a refreshing new experience.

***************
Q: What's your favourite way to play the 'Animal Crossing' series?
A: I like wandering around without any particular purpose, spending time catching bugs and fish and talking to the villagers. I also look forward to going to the shop every day to buy clothing.
-18 years old, female
***************

Eguchi: Within Animal Crossing, there's a large variety of clothing designs available. Of course we'll have even more designs this time, but we've also changed the production of designs, so let's have designer Takahashi-san tell us a little about this.

***************
Design Leader
Takahashi Kouji
***************

[subtitle: Enjoy having freedom to develop your own style]

Takahashi: Yes. Well, this time we've made it so tops and bottoms can be chosen separately, so female players will be able to wear pants, and male players will- ah!

[everyone laughs]

Takahashi and Kyoukyoku: s-skirt?!

Eguchi: Can they wear them? I guess they can, right?

Takahashi: Yes, they can.

Eguchi: They can wear whatever they like, then.

Takahashi: Also, up until now there's only been a couple of basic character models, but this time we've tried to design a few more character models that are better suited for fashionable clothes.

***************
The top model is the new version, the bottom model is the previous version
***************

***************
Q: What's your favourite way to play the 'Animal Crossing' series?
A: Being able to make discoveries in other peoples' villages.
-15 years old, male
***************

Eguchi: This is probably talking about exploring using a wireless connection. When you go explore another player's village, you often find that a different village allows for a different style of play. This is something we'll find again in the new version, right?

Kyoukyoku: The 3DS will again be a mobile device, so two people who both have 3DSes can meet, for example in a place like this, and play together. We want to encourage players to play together actively, and since the player will be the village chief they can create a bench or a street lamp, etc. and by arranging these kinds of things around the village the player can make their village look nice and make it uniquely their own.

[subtitle: developing a unique village]

Eguchi: What about the setup of the village itself?

Takahashi: It's changed a little. The beach is wider, when you pass the ___ the bookstore becomes larger (does this make any sense?), ___ will be running around the fields.

Eguchi: Oh! I'm the producer and even I didn't know that part. I'd like to try that.

***************
Q: What do you like about the 'Animal Crossing' software series?
A: There are so many varieties of cute animals.
-26 years old, female
***************

Eguchi: We'll have the same kinds of characters appearing in the 3DS version. There is one new part I'd like Takahashi-san to introduce though.

Takahashi: Yes. Since we've changed the models for the characters, we decided to re-evaluate the models for the animals as well. The idea was to make small animals small and big animals big, so squirrels are at the smaller end and bears are at the larger end. This gives some variation when different animals are seen side by side.

***************
illustration: top is new models, bottom is old.
***************

***************
Garigari: Welcome! Mosakichi kun was just here to play!
***************

Eguchi: It helps bring attention to an animal's cuteness or strength.

Takahashi: That's right.

Eguchi: It gives them a nice neat look. This time around, there's a new character who'll be making an appearance, isn't there?

Takahashi: Yes, there is. This time, since the player holds the position of village chief, we've created a secretary-chan to support you in your role.

[subtitle: a secretary will appear to support the village chief]

Everyone: secretary-chan? (laughing)

Kyoukyoku and Takahashi: Shizu-chan.

Eguchi: Ahh, she's called Shizu-chan?

Takahashi: Yes. She'll support you in various ways, and we're hoping that the player will enjoy their interactions with her.

Kyoukyoku: She's a little ____, so it's hard to say if she'll do a good job supporting you or not. (laughing)

Eguchi: What, really? (everyone laughs)

***************
Q: What's your favourite way to play the 'Animal Crossing' series?
A: I like to spend time building my room using my favourite furniture.
-18 years old, female
***************

Eguchi: Animal Crossing has offered a lot of variety in furniture as well. For the 3DS version, in addition to increasing the number of designs, we've added one more innovation that I'd like you to introduce.

Takahashi: By taking furniture you've acquired to the workshop, you can have it customized, for example having the cushions on your sofa made into a heart design.

Eguchi: It's also been made so that you can change the look of your house itself, hasn't it?

Kyoukyoku: Yes, it has. Before the player was able to change the colour of pictures, but this time they'll be able to change the colour of the outer walls, the design of their mailbox, and so on.
Also, as a new feature for the 3DS game using Streetpass, there will be an exhibition hall on the edge of town where, the houses of people you pass by will be added to the hall as model houses, changing over time.

Eguchi: Up until now, players have only been able to do this with friends and acquaintances, but now you'll be able to take a peak at the houses of strangers as well.

[subtitle: the houses of people you pass enter your exhibition hall]

Kyoukyoku: Yes, that's right.

Eguchi: That'll be interesting, won't it?

Takahashi: kagu no parts jitai ha tsukatteru toka fudousan yatteru basho desu kedo onajimi no tanukichi ha soto wo fudousanya to bleep konkai tonjou shimasu.

Eguchi: He's changed careers, hasn't he?

Takahashi: Yes, he has.

Eguchi: I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of real estate agent he'll be.

Takahashi: Yes.

***************
Tanukichi: Alrighty, is this where you want to build your house?*
(* there's a funny accent, but I'm not familiar with the english game, so I don't know how they usually write him)
***************

***************
Q: What do you like about the 'Animal Crossing' software series?
A: I liked being able to relax in my free time. And the music! It's so soothing.
-47 years old, female
***************

Eguchi: There are quite a lot of people who say they like the Animal Crossing series' music.

Todaka: Thank you very much.

Eguchi: Todaka-san is in charge of sound for the Animal Crossing series.

Todaka: Yes.

***************
Sound Director
Todaka Kazumi
***************

Eguchi: For the 3DS version, can you tell us a bit about what your focus is on?

Todaka: Well, as always we've made music to help the player enjoy leisurely life in the village. However, in addition to that, as you were mentioning earlier the beach is more prominent than before and the village as a whole has become more spacious. To go along with that, we've worked harder this time to give the player a sense of openness and freedom through the music.

Eguchi: It'll be great to have people actually play the 3DS and hear your music soon, won't it?

Todaka: Yes, that's exactly right. I hope everyone's looking forward to it.

***************
Q: What's your favourite way to play the 'Animal Crossing' series?
A: I liked Totakeke's concerts so much that I looked forward to them every week.
-18 years old, female
***************

Eguchi: Yes, Totakeke's Saturday night concerts every week have become an integral part of the Animal Crossing series, haven't they? Well, everyone will have to look forward to ___ to see a real concert in Animal Crossing, but to close out today's interview I'd like to have Todaka-san play a song for us. Would that be okay?

Todaka: Sure, I'll play a song.

Eguchi: Great.

***************
Animal Crossing
***************

Todaka: This is a new song from Animal Crossing.

Eguchi: Well, there's still a little time left before the 3DS version of Animal Crossing is released, but hopefully I've _____. Please look forward to the release!

Please credit Tron232 from reddit if you post this translation anywhere. Thanks

Now that I got to see a closer look at the map, I see:

Kapp'n sailing on the boat like in Population Growing (GCN game, shorten it to PG)

The Wishing Well and Plaza seem to be back if you look at the far right- another throwback to PG.

Deserted island on the far left could be a place you can explore. It's small, but you can probably find the rare bugs there just like you could in PG (island in the game was always summer-time, even though it's winter back in town).

Shops are moved up to the top- across the train tracks.

And that's if the final game will be following that concept map, which seems to be the case (the dock seen on the beach in the lower part of town is in the final game too).

Real exciting

Last time I was excited for an AC game was Wild World.

So... its on an island?

Woah, honey! An island? That's AMAZING! Can I get a hot tub and a glass of Coconut Milk with that?

I've just noticed that on the right hand side of the water there semes to be a lone house not even on an island, I think that It'll be Kapp'ns house!

Awesome. Thanks for going through the trouble to find and post the translation here (with your source). it's very helpful to me. :3

Game is looking amazing. Can't wait for it. This is what City Folk should've been, imo. Some pretty significant changes this time around, in comparison to the changes between previous entries in the series. I watched the 3D trailer again on my 3DS, and I think the 3D effect is going to work very well with AC3DS. It seems games like AC with very bright colours work best with the 3D of the 3DS.

Yeah, there are tidbits they mentioned that was supposed to be in City Folk. For example, the workshop. It was brought up in an interview 2 years before CF was even shown and launched. Creating your own furniture and sharing it with friends. Also, visiting friends while their Wii is off in Stand-By mode.

I mean, CF did bring enhancements but they were not siginificant enough. And they removed the mansion expansion.

AC3DS is the true sequel to the series and I just can't wait to get my hands on it. I'm thinking this game will come out by May 2012 the latest. Nintendo should release it in Spring so we can have a fresh start and go through the whole year with all seasons and most events instead of starting in December (there was nothing to do in WW) and the November City Folk release.. It felt it was kinda late. The game should be ready by then. It's been in development for nearly 2 years. I'm guessing they started concepts and what not in late 2009 since this is Nintendo's internal team and Sakurai did start working on Kid Icarus as early as mid 2009, with talks about Nintendo's next handheld after Brawl was released.

Anyhow, just me thinking and piecing together what could mean nothing. But I really want the game.. Now

I wasn't this excited for City Folk lol

Wild World? Oh yes.

Yes. As I've said before, Animal Crossing 3DS is what City Folk should've been! City Folk was basically WW on the Wii, with some very minor additions. I don't know what I'm most excited for with AC3DS, because a ton of great stuff was added. I think playing as the mayor will be particularly interesting, but I'm wondering what happened to poor old Tortimer. xD

I predict he's retired and living on one of the islands maybe

He might be running the train station, visit occasionally at the cafe... or worse, he could be a ghost and his gravestone is prettty much in the central plaza.

Also, in this game, you can pick the spots where you want buildings built. In the video, the secretary following the player asked "Would you like the cafe to be built here?"

Not sure if it is cafe, can't remember exactly. But that just adds another layer of customization.

http://www.screwattack.com/news/japan-animal-crossing-3ds-wil...

Confirmed DLC! And it's supposed to be released this summer! I guess? lol

why do we know it comes this summer? because screwattack says it??

animal crossing already had dlc but it was free. i dont think it will be any different with this version.

I was obviously joking about the summer release. _{Even though I'd crap my pants if it was so.} And DLC in City Folk wasn't really DLC. It was more of an update every month or so that gave us one miniscule item. DLC is a surplus of content whether it be a map pack or whatever. I'm assuming it will cater towards Animal Crossing which would mean new furniture, clothes, hats, etc.

To be honest, I just look forward to Animal Crossing 3DS as an excuse to get back into the game - the fact that it will feaTure actual online interactions is just a massive bonus. I absolutely loved AC:WW and over the space of about 2 years managed to make Akiba Town spectacular.... but then nothing. Now I can start again AND invite people over that I don't have to buy the game for first.

As for the confirmed updates to the game, I'm mostly looking forward to the swimming aspect - although it seems like such a small add-on at first, I like the idea that we may find additional islands and people. Imagine you're swimming along and all of a sudden find a Streetpass town?! T'would be nice.

Am I the only one fantasizing about doing a gig with K.K. Slider? I mean, they could sneak in a bit of a storyline where you agree to help Slider every Saturday and the more you play, the more fans you coerce in watching your show at The Roost. I'd love that. I imagine a guitar hero-esque gameplay.

Hm, I had an Animal Crossing X Minecraft dream. Probably because of the fact the textures I'm using for Minecraft is from Animal Crossing. But I imagined a tall mountain with a bridge over the ocean and the animals swimming in the waters.

I'm really craving Animal Crossing and have no access to any of the games

Can't wait for the 3DS game. Shame it probably won't come out till August the earliest.