Evicting Villagers In ACNH: Removing Houses Of Inactive Players
Hey, Animal Crossing fans! Ever found yourself in a situation where you've got extra villagers cluttering up your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Maybe they used to play on your Switch, but not anymore, and their houses are just…there. Well, you're in luck! Let's dive into how to get rid of those unwanted villagers and reclaim some precious island real estate. We'll cover the methods, tips, and tricks to make sure your island paradise is exactly how you want it, even if it means saying goodbye to a few residents. No worries, this guide is packed with info to help you evict those villagers without causing any drama.
Understanding the Situation: Villagers with Switch Accounts
Alright, first things first. You're probably here because you have multiple accounts on your Nintendo Switch. This is super common, especially if you're sharing your Switch with family or friends. Each account can have its own island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which is cool. But what if those other accounts aren't playing anymore? Their houses, built by those accounts, are still on your island, taking up space. The game treats them as permanent residents until you take action, which can be a bummer if you're aiming for a specific villager roster or simply want to maximize your island's aesthetic appeal. This is your key to learning how to get rid of extra villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons when they have an account on the Nintendo Switch. Before you get to the solution, consider some facts: when a secondary player's house has been removed, the primary player can no longer play on the island unless they create their own character and start their own home.
It's worth noting that this process differs slightly from the methods you'd use to get rid of villagers who are active residents. With inactive players, you're dealing with their entire presence on the island, including their house, which is a bit more involved than just nudging a regular villager to move out. So, buckle up, because we're about to get into the nitty-gritty of how to solve this little island dilemma. This can be useful if you have family members who moved out and no longer use the Switch, or friends who want to restart their island but still have a presence on yours. It will be the best way to learn how to remove a villager from your island.
Why Remove Extra Villagers?
There are a few solid reasons why you might want to get rid of those extra villagers, besides just having a cleaner island. Maybe you're striving for a specific aesthetic, like a zen garden or a bustling marketplace, and those extra houses are cramping your style. Perhaps you're hunting for specific villagers and those vacant plots could be a golden ticket to your dream team. Or maybe, you simply want more space to build, decorate, and expand your own home and facilities. Every inch of space on your island is valuable, and having houses of inactive players eats into that resource. It's also about creating a more streamlined and personal gaming experience. With fewer inactive accounts, you can focus on your own character, your own goals, and your own creative vision for the island. In short, getting rid of those villagers can boost your gameplay and offer you a better experience. Another bonus is that you will have more resources and access to your island, making gameplay more streamlined. Learning to get rid of a villager can be beneficial for you, as well as your island's aesthetic.
The Main Methods to Evict Villagers
There are a few ways to remove the houses of villagers whose accounts no longer play on your island. There is no single “delete” button in Animal Crossing, but you can achieve the same results by following these methods. Both methods have their advantages and potential downsides, so choose the best option for your situation. You can also combine methods to achieve the desired effect.
Deleting the User Profile and Save Data
This is the most direct and arguably the most efficient method, but it comes with a major caveat: it permanently deletes all the save data associated with that user profile. So, if the inactive player might ever want to revisit their island or play Animal Crossing again on that Switch, they'll be starting from scratch. Consider this the nuclear option.
Here's how it works:
- Access the System Settings: On your Nintendo Switch home screen, go to System Settings. It's the gear icon.
- Navigate to User: Scroll down and select "Users".
- Select the User: Choose the user profile of the inactive player whose house you want to remove.
- Delete User: Select "Delete User". You'll be prompted to confirm. Make sure you're absolutely certain, because once it's gone, it's gone.
- Delete Save Data: After deleting the user, you’ll likely also need to delete the save data for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In System Settings, go to "Data Management" then "Delete Save Data". Find Animal Crossing: New Horizons and delete the relevant save data. This is super important! If you don't delete the save data, the house will remain on your island.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the inactive player's house should vanish when you restart the game. This is the key method to solve your problem if you are trying to figure out how to get rid of extra villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Keep in mind that the primary player will no longer be able to load up the game and use their account. If the primary player wants to continue playing the game, they will have to create a new account and build a new home.
Moving the House and Then Restarting
This method is for players who want to start from scratch on their island, but who may still want to keep their character. First, the person will need to move their house. Then, they can restart the game on the other account.
- Access the System Settings: On your Nintendo Switch home screen, go to System Settings. It's the gear icon.
- Navigate to User: Scroll down and select "Users".
- Select the User: Choose the user profile of the inactive player whose house you want to remove.
- Restart the game: Once the character has their house in a designated area, they must restart the game to save it.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the inactive player's house should vanish when you restart the game. If you do not restart the game after the above steps, the home will not be removed. This method is useful if you are trying to learn how to remove villagers from your island.
Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Eviction
Alright, so you're ready to evict those villagers. Here are some extra tips to help you get the job done smoothly and without any unexpected surprises.
Back Up Your Island (Just in Case!)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a cloud save feature if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Before you make any big changes, it's always a good idea to back up your island data. This will give you a safety net in case anything goes wrong. Go into the game's settings to enable the backup feature. Think of it as insurance for your island paradise.
Communicate with the Other Players (If Possible)
If you're sharing your Switch with others, let them know what you're planning to do. This is especially important if they might want to play Animal Crossing again in the future. A little communication can save a lot of headaches. It's always a good idea to ask first to avoid any hurt feelings or misunderstandings. They might have some items or memories they'd like to preserve.
Be Patient
Sometimes, changes in Animal Crossing aren't instant. After deleting the user profile and save data, it might take a game restart or two for the changes to fully take effect. Just be patient and give the game a chance to catch up. It's like waiting for a tree to grow – it takes a little time.
Consider the Impact
Think about the impact on the island's overall development. Removing a player's house opens up space, but it might also affect the placement of other buildings or the overall layout. Plan ahead and consider how the changes will affect your island's design. For example, if the removed villager had placed a bridge, this will now be gone. This can change the gameplay, and it could be useful to place a bridge in that location.
Enjoy the Process
Believe it or not, this can be an exciting process! Removing those extra villagers allows you to create a perfect island. Think of this as a chance to refresh and refine your island paradise. Embrace the changes and enjoy the process of making your island your own.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common problems you might encounter.
The House Won't Disappear!
If the house doesn't disappear after deleting the user and save data, double-check that you deleted the save data for the correct user profile and for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Make sure you restarted the game completely. Sometimes, the game needs a fresh start to register the changes.
The Game Says "Save Data Corrupted!"
This can happen if the save data gets corrupted during the deletion process. Try restarting your Switch or contacting Nintendo support for assistance. It's rare, but it can happen, so don't panic – there are usually solutions available.
I Regret Deleting the User!
Once you've deleted the user profile and save data, there's no going back. This is why it's important to back up your island and to be sure you're ready to commit to the change. Think carefully before taking action.
Conclusion: Making Your Island Perfect
So there you have it! Getting rid of those extra villagers can seem daunting, but with these methods, tips, and tricks, you can reclaim your island and create the Animal Crossing paradise you've always dreamed of. Remember to back up your data, communicate with other players, and take your time. With a little planning, you'll be able to remove the unwanted houses and make your island the perfect getaway. Now go forth, and make your island shine! This is the best way to learn how to get rid of extra villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You will have more space to work with, which will improve your overall gameplay experience.
With a little effort and planning, you can create an island that truly reflects your vision. Happy island living!