A new PlayStation game, Anime Life Sim, has sparked controversy for its striking resemblance to Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). The game appears to be a near-identical clone, mirroring not only the visuals but also the core gameplay loop.
While numerous games have drawn inspiration from Animal Crossing's overarching themes, Anime Life Sim goes further, directly copying many key elements. Developed and published by IndieGames3000, the game's PlayStation Store listing explicitly describes a "charming social simulation" involving home building, befriending animal neighbors, and engaging in activities like fishing, bug catching, gardening, crafting, and fossil hunting – all core mechanics of ACNH.
The legal implications are complex. According to patent analyst Florian Mueller, game mechanics themselves are generally unpatentable. However, copyright law protects visual elements such as art style and character design. Thus, any potential legal action by Nintendo against Anime Life Sim would likely focus on the visual similarities to ACNH.
Nintendo's history of legal action is well-documented, but whether they will pursue Anime Life Sim remains uncertain. Currently, the game is slated for a February 2026 release on PlayStation 5, with PS4 compatibility yet to be confirmed.
