Anime Life Sim: A Striking Resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A new PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has generated considerable buzz due to its uncanny similarity to Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). The upcoming title appears to be a near-identical clone, mirroring not only the visual style but also the core gameplay mechanics.
While Animal Crossing has inspired numerous games, Anime Life Sim stands out for its direct replication of ACNH's formula. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, the game's PlayStation Store listing explicitly describes a "charming social simulation" featuring home building and decoration, befriending animal neighbors, and engaging in activities like fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting – all hallmarks of ACNH.
Legal Considerations: Gameplay vs. Visuals
According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game rules themselves are generally not patentable. However, the legal landscape shifts when considering visual aspects. Elements such as art style, character design, and specific graphical elements often fall under copyright protection. Therefore, any potential legal action by Nintendo against Anime Life Sim would likely center on the visual similarities to ACNH.
Nintendo's history of legal action against perceived infringements is well-documented. Whether they will pursue action against Anime Life Sim remains to be seen. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release on PlayStation 5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed. The striking resemblance to ACNH, however, continues to fuel discussion and speculation.
