"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 titled Anime Life Sim has recently caught the eye of many on the PlayStation Store, sparking discussions for its striking resemblance to Nintendo's beloved Animal Crossing series, particularly Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While the Animal Crossing franchise has inspired numerous games, Anime Life Sim stands out as a direct clone of the latest entry in the series.

Anime Life Sim, developed and published by IndieGames3000—a studio known for its diverse portfolio spanning various genres—has been listed on the PlayStation Store. The game's description on the PS Store mirrors that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, promising players a "charming social simulation" where they can build and decorate homes, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in daily activities such as fishing, catching bugs, gardening, crafting, and discovering fossils—mechanics that are strikingly similar to those in ACNH.

Game Rules Aren't Patentable, But Copying Visuals Can Spell Trouble

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules are not patentable globally, meaning there's no legal barrier to copying gameplay elements from titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex with visuals, as elements like art style, character design, and certain graphical features can be protected under copyright laws in many regions. If Nintendo were to take action against Anime Life Sim, it would likely focus on the visual similarities between the two games.

Nintendo has a history of being proactive in legal matters concerning its intellectual property. Yet, it remains uncertain whether the company is currently planning to address Anime Life Sim, especially if the game hasn't yet appeared on Nintendo's radar. Meanwhile, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release, though the PS Store page does not specify if it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.