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"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Author : Harper Update : May 14,2025

"Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store"

Summary

  • An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim has drawn significant attention for its striking similarities to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
  • The game not only mirrors the visual style of ACNH but also replicates its core gameplay mechanics.
  • While game rules cannot be patented, the visual elements of Anime Life Sim could potentially lead to legal issues due to copyright concerns.

A new indie game, Anime Life Sim, has recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store, sparking discussions for its close resemblance to Nintendo's popular title, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This upcoming game, developed and published by IndieGames3000, seems to be a direct clone of ACNH, both in terms of visuals and gameplay.

The Animal Crossing series has been a source of inspiration for numerous games, with some adopting broader concepts while others borrow more directly from Nintendo's blueprint. Anime Life Sim falls into the latter category, appearing as a near replica of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

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

The similarities extend beyond the visual realm. The description on Anime Life Sim's PS Store page echoes the essence of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, describing it as 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. These are all core mechanics found in ACNH.

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

According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules are not patentable globally, meaning that the gameplay mechanics of Animal Crossing: New Horizons can be freely replicated. However, the visual aspects of games, including art style, character design, and graphical elements, are protected under copyright law in many jurisdictions. This could pose a legal challenge for Anime Life Sim, given its visual similarities to ACNH.

Nintendo has a history of being proactive in protecting its intellectual property, though it remains uncertain whether the company will take action against Anime Life Sim. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release, with no clear indication on whether it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.