Summary
- An upcoming PlayStation game called Anime Life Sim has drawn attention for resembling a blatant Animal Crossing clone.
- The game appears to mimic Animal Crossing: New Horizons in both visuals and gameplay.
- Anime Life Sim features similar mechanics such as building, decorating, befriending animals, and engaging in activities like fishing, bug-catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting.
A new indie game, Anime Life Sim, recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store and has turned heads for appearing to be a direct clone of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The upcoming title, developed and published by IndieGames3000, has sparked significant interest due to its striking resemblance to Nintendo's popular franchise.
The Animal Crossing series has influenced numerous games, with some drawing inspiration from broader concepts, while others more directly emulate specific elements. However, outright copies of the franchise are less common, making Anime Life Sim a notable case. IndieGames3000, the studio behind Anime Life Sim, boasts a diverse portfolio with dozens of titles across various genres.
Anime Life Sim's PS Store Page Echoes Animal Crossing
The similarities extend beyond mere visuals. Anime Life Sim's description on the PS Store closely mirrors that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, promising 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 mechanics are directly lifted from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, reinforcing the notion that Anime Life Sim is a clone.
Legal Considerations: Game Rules vs. Visuals
As noted by patent analyst Florian Mueller to Game Rant, game rules are not patentable globally. Therefore, there's no legal barrier to copying the gameplay 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 jurisdictions. Should Nintendo decide 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, yet it's uncertain whether the company is actively considering legal action against Anime Life Sim. Currently, Anime Life Sim is slated for a February 2026 release, with its PS Store page leaving unclear whether it will be available on both PS4 and PS5.
