Recent reports have suggested that Sony has started to remove low-quality or ‘shovelware’ titles from the PlayStation Store, potentially spurred by an investigation into the issue across PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox storefronts. However, current evidence suggests these claims may be overstated.
Known PS Store Clutter Persists
Claims of a removal of low-quality games originated from a PSNProfiles forum discussion, where a user noted the disappearance of all RandomSpinGames titles, which were considered low-quality. However, such delistings are not unusual, and there’s no clear indication that Sony specifically targeted this developer.
A quick check of the PlayStation Store reveals that many of the usual suspect titles, such as the ‘Jumping [object]’ series, are still available. For example, titles like The Jumping Ice Cube and The Jumping Donut are still present.
Random game delistings on the PS Store have occurred before. Several months ago, a free game called The Great Fleece, which was known for its easy trophies, appeared and was later removed. The reasons for its removal remain unknown. Similarly, it’s unclear whether RandomSpinGames was removed by Sony or by the developer themselves.
It appears there’s no concrete evidence of a large-scale removal of low-quality games from the PlayStation Store. Also, it is unlikely a company like Sony would act swiftly based on a report that only briefly mentioned the PS Store. The circulating headlines seem to be based on speculation rather than confirmed action.
Addressing Store Clutter: A Potential Solution
One potential method of dealing with this perceived “shovelware” issue on the PlayStation Store would be to implement stricter quality control measures for new game submissions. This involves a more rigorous review process where games are assessed based on criteria such as gameplay mechanics, graphical fidelity, and overall polish. Such a measure would act to stem the flow of low quality titles being available on the store.
Other Potential Solutions
Community Reporting and Feedback
Implement a robust system for players to report low-quality or misleading games directly to Sony. A dedicated reporting tool within the PS Store interface, coupled with a team responsible for reviewing these reports, could help identify and address problematic titles more efficiently. Community feedback should be valued in this process.
Algorithmic Detection
Develop and implement algorithms that can automatically detect potential “shovelware” based on factors such as price point, developer history, user reviews (if available), and the presence of certain keywords or phrases in the game’s description. This could serve as a first line of defense, flagging suspicious titles for further review by human moderators.
Ultimately, the reports of a mass removal of low-quality games from the PlayStation Store appear to be premature, and the issue of store clutter remains.