The University of California, Irvine has been praised as the best esports and gaming collegiate program in the United States, and its most recent venture is right in line with its reputation. UC Irvine has brought UCI Land to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The island, dubbed UCI Land, is a replica of the UC Irvine campus in southern California and has its own hashtag #AnteaterCrossing.

The island was designed by UCI Esports Player Support Coordinator Hillary Phan, and highlights various parts of the campus such as the UCI Esports arena, the UCI men's basketball court, and the UCI women's basketball court. 

Other features of UCI Land include campus landmarks like Aldrich Park and the Anteater Recreation Center, in-game events for students, and in-game apparel branded for Irvine Anteater pride. The college's mascot, Peter the Anteater, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Willie Banks Jr. are villagers, as is a shy boba-and-taco-loving elephant named Zots. 

UC Irvine has been one of the leading universities in esports and gaming for the better part of the past decade, and hosts several activations, career fairs, and extracurricular esports and gaming opportunities and functions in addition to its robust educational program within the field.  

Since its release six months ago, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been a massive social fixture worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, the safest option during the pandemic is a virtual hangout on a friend's island, or vice-versa, and this has led to many a celebrity, brand, and now, a university to create and show off their islands on social media.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons players who want to visit UCI Land can do so by using Dream Code: DA-2443-0860-6541.

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