Animal Crossing Knockoff Lands on PlayStation Store

Anime Life Sim: A Striking Resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A recently unveiled PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has sparked controversy due to its uncanny similarity to Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). The game appears to be a near-identical clone, mirroring not only the visual style but also the core gameplay mechanics.

While numerous games have drawn inspiration from the Animal Crossing franchise, Anime Life Sim stands out for its direct imitation. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, the game's listing on the PlayStation Store immediately drew attention for its blatant resemblance to ACNH.

A Description Too Familiar

The similarities extend beyond mere aesthetics. Anime Life Sim's PlayStation Store description echoes ACNH's core features, promising a "charming social simulation" with home building, decorating, befriending animal neighbors, and engaging in activities like fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting – all key elements 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. Copyright law in many regions protects artistic styles, character designs, and specific graphical elements. Thus, any legal action Nintendo might take against Anime Life Sim would likely focus on the visual similarities to ACNH.

While Nintendo is known for its assertive legal stance, it remains uncertain whether they will pursue action against Anime Life Sim. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release on PlayStation 5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed.

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