Summary
A new indie game that recently surfaced on the PlayStation Store has turned some heads for looking like a pretty blatantAnimal Crossingripoff. Specifically, the upcoming title seems to be a clone ofAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.
TheAnimal Crossingfranchise has inspired many gamesover the years. And while some such titles have mainly taken big-picture lessons from Nintendo’s series, others opted to lift some of its elements more directly.
Games that aim to flat-out copy the franchise are rarer, but they do exist. Case in point:Anime Life Sim, an upcoming indie title that was recentlylisted on the PlayStation Storeand immediately garnered significant attention for looking like a fairly blatantAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsclone. The project is listed as being developed and published by IndieGames3000, a studio that currently has dozens of titles spanning a variety of genres to its name.
Anime Life Sim’s PS Store Page Basically Describes Animal Crossing
The similarities betweenAnime Life SimandACNHaren’t purely visual, with the former’s description on the PS Store also being evocative of Nintendo’s 2020 Switch exclusive, promising a “charming social simulation” that allows players to build and decorate a home, befriend animal neighbors, and partake in daily activities like fishing, catching bugs, gardening, crafting items, and discovering fossils. Every single one of these things is also amechanic inAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.
Game Rules Aren’t Patentable, But Copying Visuals Can Spell Trouble
As long-time patent analyst Florian Mueller recently told Game Rant,game rules are inherently unpatentableeverywhere in the world. In this sense, there’s nothing legally stopping anyone from copying any title,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsincluded. Things get a bit more tricky when it comes to visuals, as things like art style, character design, and some graphical elements can all be protected under copyright law in many jurisdictions. Therefore, if Nintendo were to attempt cracking down onAnime Life Simin order to prevent it from releasing, it would plausibly focus on how visually similar the upcoming title is toAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.
Nintendo has long earned a reputation for being fairly litigious as far as game companies go. However, it’s presently unclear whether the company is seriously considering going afterAnime Life Sim, assuming that the project is even on its radar. In the meantime, the familiar-looking life sim is currently listed as targeting a February 2026 release. Its PS Store page doesn’t clarify whether the game is planned to be available on the PS4 in addition to the PS5.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
