"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim has drawn significant attention for closely resembling Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
• The game not only shares visual similarities but also features a gameplay loop that mirrors that of ACNH.
• Anime Life Sim is developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio with a broad portfolio of games.

A new indie game, Anime Life Sim, has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store, sparking interest and controversy for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title, developed and published by IndieGames3000, appears to be a direct clone of Nintendo's beloved series.

The Animal Crossing franchise has long been a source of inspiration for many games. While some titles have borrowed broader concepts from the series, others have more directly replicated specific elements. However, outright clones are less common, and Anime Life Sim stands out as a notable example. The game's listing on the PlayStation Store quickly drew attention due to its similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

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

The similarities between Anime Life Sim and ACNH extend beyond visuals. The description on the PS Store for Anime Life Sim reads like a direct echo 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, catching bugs, gardening, crafting items, and discovering fossils—activities that are core to the gameplay of 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 anywhere in the world. This means 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. Elements like art style, character design, and certain graphical features can be protected by copyright laws in many countries. 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 being quite litigious when it comes to protecting its intellectual property. Whether the company will pursue legal action against Anime Life Sim remains to be seen, especially considering if the game is even on Nintendo's radar. As of now, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release, but the PS Store page does not specify whether it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.