Game Devs Discuss Controversial Title's Fate

The PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop are experiencing an influx of low-quality games, often described as "slop," raising concerns among users. These games frequently utilize generative AI for misleading store page assets, often mimicking popular titles or employing hyper-stylized visuals that don't reflect the actual gameplay. This issue, initially prominent on the eShop, has recently spread to the PlayStation Store, particularly affecting the "Games to Wishlist" section.

The problem isn't merely the presence of "bad" games, but the sheer volume of similar, low-effort titles overwhelming the stores. These games, often simulation titles perpetually on sale, are frequently produced by a small number of difficult-to-trace companies, sometimes even changing names to avoid accountability. This has led to complaints about the eShop's performance, which is reportedly slowing down due to the increased number of games.

To understand this phenomenon, the article investigates the game release process across major storefronts (Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch). Interviews with eight anonymous game developers and publishers reveal insights into the certification process ("cert"). While all platforms have technical requirements, the level of scrutiny varies. Steam and Xbox publicly document their requirements, while Nintendo and Sony do not. Cert primarily focuses on technical compliance and legal adherence, not quality assurance. Store page reviews are mainly for consistency and language accuracy, with less emphasis on the accuracy of the game's representation. While some platforms review page changes before launch, others do minimal post-launch checks. Notably, none of the console storefronts have specific rules against generative AI use in game assets or store pages, although Steam requests disclosure.

The article suggests several reasons for the disparity in "slop" across platforms. Microsoft's game-by-game vetting process, unlike the developer-based approach of Nintendo, Sony, and Valve, makes it less susceptible to this issue. Nintendo's approval process, described as the "easiest to scam," allows for a rapid influx of low-quality games. Some developers exploit the system by repeatedly releasing bundles with minimal changes to maintain top placement in "New Releases" and "Discounts" sections. PlayStation's "Games to Wishlist" sorting by release date exacerbates the problem, surfacing numerous low-quality games with distant release dates. Steam, while not immune, has better search and filtering options, and its high volume of releases dilutes the impact of individual low-quality games.

While users demand stricter regulation, developers express concerns about accidentally targeting quality games. The experience of "Better eShop," a user-created filter, highlights the difficulty of accurately identifying and removing low-quality content without harming legitimate games. The article concludes that while platform holders may not intentionally allow "junk AI" games, the sheer volume of submissions makes it difficult for human reviewers to effectively filter out low-quality content. The challenge lies in balancing the need to prevent the influx of low-effort games with the risk of accidentally penalizing legitimate developers.