Summary

• An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim has drawn attention for resembling a blatant clone of Animal Crossing.
• The game appears to mimic Animal Crossing: New Horizons in both visuals and gameplay.
• Anime Life Sim features a similar gameplay loop to that of ACNH.

A new indie game, Anime Life Sim, has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store and has caught the attention of gamers for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing. Specifically, this upcoming title seems to be a direct clone of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

The Animal Crossing series has long been a source of inspiration for many games. While some titles have drawn broad inspiration from Nintendo's franchise, others have more directly adopted its elements. However, outright copies of the series are less common, and Anime Life Sim stands out as a notable example. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio known for its diverse portfolio of games, Anime Life Sim has quickly garnered attention for its similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Echoes Animal Crossing

The similarities between Anime Life Sim and ACNH extend beyond visuals. The PS Store description of Anime Life Sim mirrors that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, promising 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.

Legal Considerations: Game Rules vs. Visuals

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules are not patentable worldwide, 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 design, and certain graphical elements can be protected under copyright law in many jurisdictions. 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 its litigious nature within the gaming industry, but it remains uncertain whether the company will pursue legal action against Anime Life Sim. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release, with its PS Store page not specifying whether it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.