"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has drawn attention for appearing to be a direct clone of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• The game not only shares similar visuals but also features an identical gameplay loop to that of ACNH.

A new indie game, Anime Life Sim, has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store, capturing the attention of gamers for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title, developed and published by IndieGames3000, seems to be a direct clone of Nintendo's popular life simulation game.

The Animal Crossing series has long been a source of inspiration for numerous games. While some have borrowed broader concepts from Nintendo's franchise, others have more directly replicated specific elements. However, games that attempt to outright copy the entire formula are less common. Anime Life Sim stands out as a prime example, with its listing on the PlayStation Store drawing immediate comparisons to Animal Crossing: New Horizons due to its visual and gameplay similarities.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Basically Describes Animal Crossing

The resemblance between Anime Life Sim and ACNH goes beyond the visual. The PS Store description of Anime Life Sim closely mirrors that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, touting a "charming social simulation" where players can build and decorate homes, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in daily activities such as fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting. These are all core mechanics found in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

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

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

Nintendo is known for its litigious nature within the gaming industry. Whether the company will pursue legal action against Anime Life Sim remains uncertain, 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.