Need help please if anyone here has info...

Backstory:
I have a switch. I have twins who are 8 years old. We started animal crossing recently. I got the island all set up. They both live on my island as secondary users. No issues.

But they want their own islands so we and they can visit each other and whatnot. So we just bought them each a switch lite for their birthday. They got delivered this afternoon.

Current dilemma:
I’m seeing a lot of mixed info online and angry folks about if it’s possible to play separate islands without re-purchasing the game separately for each switchlite unit. Someone I trusted gave me info that all I need to do is create a family account and buy separate switches (which is what I did). And that the one single game purchase would work for all consoles.

Is this accurate? Most everything I’m reading is indicating this doesn’t work. That it’s only one island per account and primary user even if using separate consoles.

Anyone here have yours set up with your kids having separate islands? I’m lost. And getting frustrated. Any info or advice is appreciated. TIA

If already posted, sorry. I couldn’t find it (aside from the official game thread)

This post was edited on 5/1/20 at 10:09 am

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Posted by Dam Guide

Member since Sep 2005

16571 posts

Posted on 4/30/20 at 8:22 pm to habz007

quote:
I’m seeing a lot of mixed info online and angry folks about is this possible to play separate islands without re-purchasing the game separately for each switchlite unit. Someone I trusted gave me info that all I need to do is create a family account and buy separate switches (which is what I did). And that the one single game purchase would work for all consoles.

You can do it, but only with one person playing the game at one time. You can't have 3 different switches or switch lites all playing the same license at one time. So you would still have to take turns. Primary account trumps all and would suspend the other accounts from playing animal crossing, it would shut down the game for the secondary account so the primary can play.

You need to buy 3 copies of the game to play all at once or at least 2 copies, so both of them can play and you can play while they aren't playing.

Just know they lose all progress and have to start from the beginning on their new switches. Game saves don't transfer yet. So anything they do on their switch lites is stuck on their switch lites for the time being. Anything you did on your switch is stuck on your switch. You cannot swap devices and get your islands on different devices. If you have a switch break, tough shite, your island is gone currently.

This post was edited on 4/30/20 at 8:26 pm

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Posted by habz007

New Orleans

Member since Nov 2007

4854 posts

Posted on 4/30/20 at 9:25 pm to Dam Guide

quote:
You can do it, but only with one person playing the game at one time. You can't have 3 different switches or switch lites all playing the same license at one time.

So you would still have to take turns. Primary account trumps all and would suspend the other accounts from playing animal crossing, it would shut down the game for the secondary account so the primary can play. You need to buy 3 copies of the game to play all at once or at least 2 copies, so both of them can play and you can play while they aren't playing.

Thanks ... This is what my unofficial research has indicated as well. At this point, I don’t care. I’ll pay for it if that’s what’s required for them to have flawless gameplay experience on their unique islands.

I just hate to purchase 1 or 2 more copies and find out later down the line that it was unnecessary.

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Posted by Henry Jones Jr

Member since Jun 2011

76026 posts

Posted on 4/30/20 at 9:32 pm to habz007

quote:
I just hate to purchase 1 or 2 more copies and find out later down the line that it was unnecessary.

Yeah good on you for doing research before doing all of that purchasing. It's unfortunate but Nintendo tries to eliminate any cheating or exploitation of Animal Crossing that they possibly can. They went HAM on New Horizons.