"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has drawn attention for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• The game not only mimics the visual style but also adopts a similar gameplay loop as seen in ACNH.
• Anime Life Sim is developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio with a broad portfolio of titles.

A new indie game that has recently appeared on the PlayStation Store has caught the eye of many for its uncanny resemblance to Animal Crossing, particularly the latest installment, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title, Anime Life Sim, appears to be a direct clone of the beloved Nintendo series.

The Animal Crossing franchise has long been a source of inspiration for numerous games. While some have borrowed general concepts, others have more directly adopted specific elements. However, outright copies of the franchise are less common, making Anime Life Sim a notable example. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio known for its diverse range of games, Anime Life Sim has quickly garnered attention for its similarities to ACNH.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Mirrors Animal Crossing

The parallels between Anime Life Sim and ACNH extend beyond visuals. The PlayStation Store description of Anime Life Sim closely echoes that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, touting a "charming social simulation" where players can build and decorate their homes, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in daily activities such as fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting—all core mechanics of ACNH.

Legal Considerations: Game Rules vs. Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules cannot be patented, meaning there's no legal barrier to replicating gameplay mechanics from any game, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex with visuals. Elements like art style, character design, and certain graphics can be protected by copyright law in many countries. If Nintendo were to take action against Anime Life Sim, it would likely focus on the visual similarities to ACNH.

Nintendo has a history of being proactive in legal matters concerning its intellectual property. Yet, it remains uncertain whether the company is actively considering action against Anime Life Sim, especially if the game is not yet on Nintendo's radar. Currently, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release on the PlayStation Store, though it's unclear if it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.