Animal Crossing Clone Spotted on PlayStation Store

An upcoming PlayStation title, *Anime Life Sim*, has recently sparked controversy for bearing an uncanny resemblance to *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*. The game appears to not only mimic the visual aesthetic of Nintendo's popular life simulator but also replicates its gameplay mechanics almost entirely. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, this indie title has raised eyebrows for how closely it follows the formula established by *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*, leading many to label it as a direct clone.

A Familiar Description

The official PlayStation Store description for *Anime Life Sim* reads like a near-direct copy of *Animal Crossing: New Horizons’* promotional text. It promises players a “charming social simulation” experience where they can build and decorate their homes, befriend animal neighbors, and engage in relaxing daily activities such as fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting — all core features found in *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*.

Legal Gray Areas in Game Cloning

As noted by patent expert Florian Mueller, game mechanics and general rules are not protected under patent law in most jurisdictions. This means that while *Anime Life Sim* may borrow heavily from *Animal Crossing: New Horizons* in terms of structure and playstyle, that alone doesn’t necessarily constitute legal infringement. However, the situation becomes more precarious when visual elements — including art style, character design, and graphical presentation — are nearly identical. These components may fall under copyright protection, potentially opening the door for Nintendo to take action if they choose to pursue it.

Is Nintendo Taking Notice?

Nintendo is well known for aggressively defending its intellectual property, especially when it comes to unauthorized use or imitation of its iconic franchises. While there’s currently no public indication that the company is preparing to take legal action against *Anime Life Sim*, the fact remains that the game is still set for a planned February 2026 release. At this time, it’s unclear whether the title will launch exclusively on PS5 or also include support for PS4 platforms.