But the demonstrations have stalled since Covid-19 first appeared in China late last year and spread across the globe. The pandemic gave the Hong Kong government, which called many of the demonstrations unlawful, an excuse to impose a lockdown, which it used to further crack down on pro-democracy activists. More than 8,000 people have been arrested since the beginning of the protests.

Like the rest of the world, Hong Kongers have taken to playing the newest version of Animal Crossing as a welcome escape. And they have brought their protest message and art with them.

" Animal Crossing is a place without political censorship so it is a good place to continue our fight," says pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, who is widely regarded as the face of the city's 2014 Umbrella Movement. Wong remains an important figure in the current protests. "Even lawmakers in Hong Kong are playing this game," he says.

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, players travel to a deserted island where they can make friends with their animal neighbours, go fishing or hunt for bugs, and build their own homes. They can also invite friends, which is perfect at a time when what feels like the entire world is living very much online and in self-isolation. Since its release on March 20, Nintendo has sold millions of copies, shattering sales records in many countries, including in the UK. On its website, Nintendo asks players to "show off your island utopia."

Wong, who is the secretary-general of pro-democracy party Demosistō says he recently started playing the game himself. In a screenshot of his island, his character is standing in front of a tiny hut in jeans and what look like Timberland boots, holding a hatchet in his hands. His garden is decorated with a big black protest banner and portraits of Chinese president Xi Jinping and Carrie Lam, as well as a pink cherry tree in full bloom.

"Since the setting of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is that players start their life on a deserted island, we can decorate the island any way we like, and share the message we want to tell the world," says Li, a student in her 20s, who did not want to give her full name.