"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim recently garnered attention for looking like a blatant Animal Crossing clone.
• The game seems to rip off the latest entry in Nintendo's series, New Horizons.
• Aside from having identical visuals, Anime Life Sim seems to feature a gameplay loop that's the same as that of ACNH.

A new indie game that has caught the eye of the gaming community is Anime Life Sim, which has sparked discussions due to its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title, available on the PlayStation Store, appears to be a direct clone of Nintendo's beloved franchise.

The Animal Crossing series has influenced numerous games over the years, with some borrowing overarching concepts and others more directly replicating specific features. While direct copies of the franchise are less common, Anime Life Sim, developed and published by IndieGames3000, stands out as a clear example. IndieGames3000 is known for its extensive catalog of games across various genres.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Echoes Animal Crossing

The similarities between Anime Life Sim and Animal Crossing: New Horizons extend beyond just visuals. The PlayStation Store description for Anime Life Sim promises a "charming social simulation" where players can engage in activities like building and decorating a home, befriending animal neighbors, and participating in daily tasks such as fishing, bug-catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting. These are all core elements of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, making the resemblance even more pronounced.

Legal Considerations: Game Rules vs. Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules cannot be patented globally, meaning there's no legal barrier to replicating the mechanics of any game, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex with visuals. Art style, character designs, and certain graphical elements can be protected by copyright laws in many regions. If Nintendo decides to take action against Anime Life Sim, it would likely focus on the visual similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Nintendo is known for its aggressive legal stance in the gaming industry, but it remains uncertain whether they will pursue action against Anime Life Sim. As of now, the game is slated for a February 2026 release, with no clear indication on the PS Store page about its availability on PS4 alongside PS5.