Blatant Animal Crossing Copy Appears on PlayStation Store

Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has caught attention for resembling a blatant clone of Animal Crossing, particularly New Horizons.
• The game not only shares similar visuals but also features an identical gameplay loop to ACNH.
• Anime Life Sim was listed on the PlayStation Store, developed and published by IndieGames3000.

A new indie game that has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store is drawing significant attention for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing, specifically Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming title, named Anime Life Sim, appears to be a direct clone of Nintendo's popular series.

The Animal Crossing franchise has inspired numerous games over the years, with some borrowing broad concepts while others have directly lifted specific elements. However, outright copies of the franchise are less common, yet Anime Life Sim stands out as a clear example. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio with an extensive portfolio spanning various genres, Anime Life Sim has garnered immediate attention due to its similarities with Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Echoes Animal Crossing

The resemblance between Anime Life Sim and ACNH goes beyond visuals. The PlayStation Store description of Anime Life Sim promises 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—activities that are core mechanics in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Legal Considerations: Game Rules vs. Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules cannot be patented globally, meaning there's no legal barrier to copying game mechanics, including those from Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, the situation becomes more complex with visuals. Art style, character designs, and certain graphical elements are often 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 aggressive legal stance against copyright infringement, though it's unclear whether the company has Anime Life Sim on its radar. As of now, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release, with its PlayStation Store page not specifying if it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.