Though convenient and a huge relief for many players, the autosave feature has made the once great and powerful Resetti's job in Animal Crossing obsolete. The once intimidating mole, known for drilling players with long-winded rants if they dared reset their games, has been reduced to a background cameo in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, barely noticed by most players and lacking the fiery presence that once defined him.

Animal Crossing has apparently softened its edges because even the crankiest of villagers, like Fang, feel more friendly than gruff. The series' shift toward a gentler tone makes for a relaxing experience, but it also removes some of the personality that made past games more charming and memorable. Resetti doesn't need to return to punishing players for resetting, but he shouldn't be left behind. A future Animal Crossing could bring him back in a way that preserves his iconic temper while giving him a meaningful role in town life.

Animal Crossing Has Mostly Abandoned Resetti

Resetti Is A Memorable NPC Who Still Deserves A Place In AC Games

Resetti was one of Animal Crossing's most intimidating characters for years. He became one of the series' most memorable NPCs with his explosive lectures about saving progress, which were like a rite of age for players. His reminders were more like demands.

If a player forgot to save their game or turned the power off without saving, Resetti would appear the next time they powered their system on, scolding them with long-winded rants and a fiery temper. His rants would worsen each time, with more intense and dramatic gestures. He was loved and hated; some found him funny, while others found him frustrating. Either way, his fiery personality stood out in a game full of friendly, easy-going characters.

In some Animal Crossing games, Resetti would make players answer questions after powering off and not saving to continue playing.

Yet, despite what set him aside from other NPCs, Animal Crossing: New Horizons put him on the back burner. Instead of guarding against a lack of saves, he was now in charge of Rescue Services, a rarely used feature that only activates when players get stuck somewhere. With Rescue Services existing mainly in the background, Resetti became the same, an overlooked background character that rarely saw the light of day and lost much of the fiery personality that once made him an unforgettable part of the Animal Crossing ​​​​​​experience.

Autosave Doesn’t Mean Resetti Can’t Find A Purpose

There Are Other Ways To Include Resetti In Future AC Games

Autosave may have stripped Resetti of his original job, but that doesn't mean he has to stay in the background. Animal Crossing has reinvented characters before, and Resetti's strong personality makes him too valuable to leave behind. While autosave has been a saving grace for many players and is a feature that needs to stick around, there are other ways that Animal Crossing can keep Resetti relevant.

Of course, whatever role Animal Crossing decides to bestow upon Resetti must also be one to fit his fiery personality and would allow him to still lose his temper once in a while. Resetti, a mole often shown in overalls with a pickaxe and a headlamp, could be tied to the town's infrastructure. He could oversee construction projects and deliver updates in his typically blunt and fiery style, ranting about delays, unexpected costs, and players who change their minds too often about where bridges or inclines should go.

Or Animal Crossing could put Resetti in charge of town maintenance services. He could pop in and grumble about messes relating to worn-down paths, overgrown trees, or neglected weeds. This would keep him involved in town life while letting his real personality shine through. His updates could come right after Isabelle's morning announcements, or he could visit a player's home first thing in the morning to remind them of their town duties.

If Animal Crossing wanted to take Resetti in an entirely new direction, that would be something to consider, too. He could open up a meditation or yoga retreat in retirement, trying hard to take on a new role in life to stay calm. Players could interact with him and push his buttons, which would cause him to fail and revert to his long-winded rants.

Autosave may have forced Resetti to adapt, but it shouldn't mean the end of him, and he shouldn't be stuck in a background feature that no one really uses. With the right role, he can make a comeback. Animal Crossing just needs to give him purpose again.

Animal Crossing Has Room For Some Mean Characters

AC Needs Meaner Characters To Add More Spice And Diversity

Animal Crossing is known for its cozy, feel-good vibes, so it makes sense that the villagers fit those criteria. Still, in previous games, some villagers had a more distinctive personality and weren't just lovey-dovey and cheerful. Grumpiness, sarcasm, and tough love need to be included in Animal Crossing games to make it feel more authentic and interesting. Mixing the bad characters with the good makes the world feel more dynamic and balanced.

Cranky villagers are a great example of this shift. In older Animal Crossing games, they really lived up to their name. They were easily irritated, slow to warm up to players, and had a tough-exterior-meets-secret-soft-side charm. Some even outright dismissed players, grumbling about being bothered or giving blunt, no-nonsense advice.

Over time, though, cranky villagers have mellowed out. Now, they mostly act like friendly old grandpas, offering wisdom and encouragement rather than snark or sarcasm. While this makes them more approachable, it also makes them feel less distinct.

Other personality types have been softened as well. Snooty villagers used to have an air of condescension, sometimes throwing subtle insults into their conversations. Their diva-like qualities made their friendships feel like an accomplishment once players got past their tough exteriors.

Resetti was never mean just for the sake of it. He had a job, and his short temper was part of the game’s charm. His presence made the world feel more alive because he reacted to players in a way that wasn’t just ive or endlessly positive. If Animal Crossing brought back some of that friction, it would help restore the balance between cozy and lively.

Villagers don’t need to be outright rude, but they should feel different from one another. Animal Crossing has room for some grumpiness, and it’s time to let it back in.