PlayStation continues removing shovelware titles, this time removing over 900 games from Afil Games.
Sony has been actively working to enhance the overall quality of the PlayStation Store by removing low-effort titles. In 2026, the company moved particularly swiftly, removing 1,000 games in January, then again in April, and another 1,000 earlier this month. The latest set of removals has been revealed, accompanied by stricter publishing guidelines.
PlayStation Latest Crackdown on Shovelware Comes with ‘Stricter’ Publishing Guidelines
Spotted by PushSquare, Afil Games has announced via X (formerly Twitter) that their shovelware games will soon be removed from the PlayStation Store. This decision comes in response to PlayStation’s implementation of stricter publishing guidelines, which do not align with Afil Games’ business model. As a result, PlayStation has chosen to end its partnership with Afil Games for future releases on the platform. All titles from Afil Games will be removed from PSN shortly.
However, this is not the end for the developer, as they will continue to release new games for XBOX One, XBOX Series X/S, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo Switch. But players will be happy to know that one of the top 10 publishers with the most games on PlayStation Store (all shovelware) will not have any titles on the platform anymore.
More Insider Gaming: 12 Games Leaving PlayStation Plus Game Catalog Next Month
If you’re curious about shovelware games, they generally fall into two categories: knockoffs of popular titles or trends, and games that are designed for easy trophy acquisition. A quick glance at Afil Games’ page reveals examples of this type of game, including titles like “Honey Sprint,” “Beetle Shock,” and “Chico’s Delivery.”
What are your thoughts on PlayStation cracking down on more shovelware games? Leave your thoughts down in the comments, and join the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more information from Insider Gaming, read about the Kadokawa CEO being pushed out over the Elden Ring failure. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Comments