PS5 ‘shovelware’ studio says all its games are being removed due to Sony’s ‘stricter guidelines’

June 24, 2026 - 22:12

Afil Games, a studio known for releasing over 140 titles on the PlayStation Store, has announced that its entire catalog is being taken down. The developer claims Sony has introduced "stricter guidelines" that effectively end its business on the platform.

In a statement, Afil Games said the removals apply to all its games, many of which are budget-priced, simple experiences often dismissed as "shovelware." The studio did not specify which new rules triggered the purge, but it suggested that Sony is cracking down on low-effort or asset-flipped titles that flood the storefront.

The developer has been a prolific presence on the PlayStation Store, releasing everything from basic puzzle games to quick achievement-farming titles. Critics have long accused such studios of exploiting the platform's lax submission standards. Sony has been gradually tightening its approval process over the past year, reportedly requiring higher quality benchmarks and stricter content guidelines.

Afil Games did not provide a timeline for when the games will disappear, but players who already purchased them will likely retain access. The studio also hinted that it might shift focus to other platforms, though no concrete plans were shared.

The move signals a broader trend. Sony appears to be cleaning up its digital storefront, following similar actions by Nintendo and Microsoft to reduce clutter from low-quality releases. For now, Afil Games' sizable library is set to vanish, marking one of the largest single-studio takedowns in PlayStation history.