PS5’s Anime Village Online Sparks Controversy Over Copycat Claims
A new cozy life simulator called Anime Village Online has ignited controversy for its striking similarity to Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Developed by Wisnu Sudirman, the PS5 title is facing backlash for allegedly copying the popular franchise’s visuals, mechanics, and overall design. Fans and critics alike are questioning how such a game made its way onto the PlayStation Store without deeper review.
The visuals, described by players as AI-generated, closely mirror Animal Crossing’s colorful art style. Early promotional images show near-identical environments and character proportions, prompting online speculation that prompts or models from Nintendo’s game might have been used. According to its PlayStation Store description, Anime Village Online allows players to build furniture, grow crops, catch fish, trade items, and visit friends’ villages, mechanics that echo Animal Crossing point for point.
How the Game Crosses the Line
Borrowing gameplay ideas isn’t unusual, but Anime Village Online seems to replicate Nintendo’s formula too closely. While games like Stardew Valley built upon established farming sim ideas, they still added original mechanics and emotional depth. In contrast, Anime Village Online appears to reuse Animal Crossing’s systems without adding fresh creativity. Players are calling for PlayStation to enforce stronger quality checks to prevent AI-generated or cloned titles from slipping through.
Why It Matters for PlayStation
The issue highlights PlayStation’s ongoing challenge with store moderation. Over the past year, several questionable projects have surfaced on PSN due to automated approvals. If Nintendo decides to take legal action, this could set a precedent for stricter platform accountability in handling cloned content. As cozy life sims rise in popularity, originality and authenticity are more crucial than ever for developers hoping to win player trust.
