Blatant Animal Crossing Copy Appears 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, Anime Life Sim, has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store, drawing significant attention for its striking resemblance to the popular game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title, developed and published by IndieGames3000, appears to be a near clone of Nintendo's beloved franchise.

The Animal Crossing series has inspired numerous games over the years, with some borrowing broader concepts while others directly emulate specific elements. However, outright copies of the franchise are less common, and Anime Life Sim stands out as a clear example of this phenomenon. IndieGames3000, the studio behind the game, is known for its extensive catalog of titles across various genres.

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

The similarities between Anime Life Sim and Animal Crossing: New Horizons extend beyond visuals. The PlayStation Store description for Anime Life Sim promises a "charming social simulation" where players can build and decorate a home, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in daily activities such as fishing, catching bugs, gardening, crafting items, and discovering fossils. These mechanics are identical to those found in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, underscoring the extent to which Anime Life Sim mirrors its inspiration.

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

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules cannot be patented anywhere in the world, meaning there's no legal barrier to replicating the gameplay of any title, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex with visual elements. Art style, character design, and certain graphical features can be protected under copyright law in many jurisdictions. If Nintendo were to pursue legal action against Anime Life Sim, it would likely focus on the game's visual similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Nintendo has a history of being proactive in legal matters concerning its intellectual property. It remains uncertain whether the company is aware of Anime Life Sim or considering legal action against it. Meanwhile, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release, with its PlayStation Store page not specifying whether it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.