Airport terminal

The game starts with Timmy and Tommy welcoming the player at an Airport terminal for Nook Inc's "Deserted Island Getaway Package". The twins will ask the player if this is their first time, or if they're moving.

New players should select "Yes, it is!" This guide assumes you pick this option.
Moving allows an existing player to move from a different game save, particularly when they have transferred data from a different Nintendo Switch video game console.

The twins will then ask the player for their name and birthday (Month and date only). This information can be visible to others online and can't be changed afterwards, so you may wish to consider picking a name and birthday other than your actual name and birthday.

Next the player will be asked to get ready for a photo, in reality this means choosing your player appearance. You can choose between two avatar styles, as well as appearance options regarding skin tine, hair style, eyes, mouth, nose, and cheeks. This is more malleable later, so don't worry about it too much, but pick something to your liking.

Next the game will ask the player to pick a hemisphere to live in, either northern or southern, as this will affect the timing of the in game seasons.

Next the twins will offer four island layouts to choose from. This is slightly more consequential, but less important compared to previous Animal Crossing games so pick what you like. The main factors to consider are:

Location of the airport (Grey block on the south side)
Location of the town square (Leaf logo)
Location of the dock (Either on the east or west)
Location of river outlets to ocean
Location of rocky beaches
Location of the grass ocean cliffside
Location of the northern beach

Less important factors to consider include:

Accessibility of ponds
Number of waterfalls
Number of hills
General terrain elevation

Finally the twins will ask the player a hypothetical question of what item they would choose to bring if they could only bring one thing to a deserted island.

After the selection is made the charter flight will begin boarding for the deserted island. During the flight an in flight movie will play to introduce the player to island life. This video focuses on recreational activities, fishing, item collection, crafting, and insects, to name just a few features presented.

Game Design

This introduction is used as a way for the player to create a character without asking them to do so in a straightforward menu. Doing so allows the game to meld the world and character introduction with the character creation process.

How does the introductory video prepare the player for the upcoming gameplay?

Arrival

Orientation

The island is introduced with as a seaplane carrying the player character casts its shadow over the town square. Timmy and Tommy will disembark and invite the player character and two other randomly chosen residents to an orientation. Head on over to the plaza and talk to the large racconlike creature, Tom Nook, to begin.

Staking Tents

Tom Nook will ask the player to choose a site for their in game tent. Talk to Tommy or Timmy to receive a tent and map, then place it where you like.

If you need help placing the tent:

Press the X button.
Press A while the cursor is on the Tent. (If you moved the cursor, you can select the tent with the control stick.)
Press A, and then press A again to confirm. One of two things will happen.
- The game will allow the player to visualize what the tent looks like in that location, decide on the spot, or reconsider. The player should confirm once a satisfactory location is found.
- The game will inform the player if a tent can't be placed in a specific location.

After the tent is placed, return to Tom Nook, who will ask the player to repeat the same process for the other two islanders. They will have picked potential spots, which the player can help pick a spot, either by encouraging them to pick their existing choice, or offering to help find a new spot (Allowing the player to pick a spot as they have done for their own tent)

Gathering supplies

Report in to advance time to dusk. Tom Nook will then ask the player to talk with him, then will request 10 tree branches. The player can pick up branches by walking up to them, then pressing the Y button. You can check your progress at any time by pressing X. When done, return to Tom Nook, who will then ask for 6 of a fruit. There are a number of fruits that the game chooses one from to be a fruit native to the island, such as peaches or apples. Walk up to a fruit bearing tree and press A to shake it, then press Y over the fruits to pick them up. Return to Tom Nook to initiate a nighttime welcome party around a campfire. This includes asking the player to name the island. This isn't changeable and is visible to others, so pick something you like that is respectable. The player is then made the "Resident Representative". Toast with fruit juice, then enjoy the festivities by talking with others. When done, talk to Tom Nook, to receive a Camping Cot and instructions on how to place and use it. Finally retire to the player's tent. Open the two boxes by pressing A next to both to receive a lantern and radio. Place the camping cot, and enter it to start the game in earnest. While sleeping, K.K. Slider will give advice to the player. From this point on the in game clock follows the system clock.

Homesteading

Waking up

Tom Nook will wake up the player character and give them a "NookPhone" ingame smartphone. Tom Nook will ask some questions, and offer the "Island Life 101" app to the player, which should be accepted.

Tom Nook will then give the player a bill, which can't be paid as the player starts with 0 bells, which are the currency of the game. The total is 49,800 bells. Tom Nook will then offer the player the Nook Mileage Program, which can offer reward points used in lieu of bells, allowing the player to only pay 5,000 miles instead of 49,800 bells. After Nook leaves, the game can now be saved by prssing the - button.

Foraging

A variety of items may be acquired by simply picking them off the ground. Most of these items are either intended for crafting or are of low value, but do not require the use of tools. These items often include:

Sticks
Weeds
Seashells

Bug catching

Bug catching is a lucrative activity, and one that can also be used to expand the museum collection.

Bug catching requires a net.

Unlike fishing, which focuses mostly on good reaction times, Bug catching leans more on stealth, letting the net loose at a precise moment for more elusive bugs.

Fossils

Digging for fossils in Animal Crossing: New Horizons serves as both a way to expand the Museum, and as a way of generating bells. Fossils can also be used as decorative pieces.

Artwork

Artwork can be acquired to expand the museum, or to decorate the island. Unlike many other collectibles, counterfeit artwork can be acquired, which is far less valuable as it can not be used to expand the museum.