Fans fast to have a good time the reveal of a Microsoft Flight Simulator PlayStation Store web page had been left let down after it was found that the precise product is little greater than “copycat shovelware.”
Xbox and PlayStation followers gathered to debate a possible port for the favored flight simulation sport after Reddit user CreativeRaspberry314 shared Trophy data associated to a possible PS4 and PS5 model earlier at the moment. It might be thrilling – if not considerably unsurprising – to see Microsoft deliver extra Xbox titles to PlayStation followers, however the spotted store page isn’t formally associated to Microsoft Flight Simulator in any manner, form, or kind.
“Sadly, that is only a copycat shovelware sport,” one Reddit user added. “Straight up shovelware,” one other added. “Really psychological tbh, the image is a straight up rip-off. If it was MSFS, it’d have the identical achievements because the Xbox/Steam variations.”
As an alternative, the Flight Simulator 2025 on PlayStation is being revealed by an organization named Grizzly Video games Restricted. As noticed by Eurogamer, the corporate shares a reputation with Thronefall developer Grizzly Video games however can also be utterly unrelated to that entity. Whereas that workforce is liable for different titles like Superflight and Islanders, the Grizzly Games Limited website reveals a catalog of what look like cell video games that includes shiny, AI-generated supplies. The artwork for its Flight Simulator 2025 undertaking additionally seems to be generated by AI judging by a few of its muddy airplane elements and unusual designs.
The Thronefall workforce, in the meantime, offered an announcement to Eurogamer associated to the invention of Flight Simulator 2025 on PlayStation and Grizzly Video games Restricted. Grizzly Video games says it isn’t related to the corporate, including that it’s utilizing “each our title and emblem illegally.”
“Moreover they appear to include absolutely the reverse of our values, of what we stand for and what we’re making an attempt to offer to the gaming neighborhood,” Grizzly Video games continued. “Sadly our authorized sources are restricted as a two-person indie workforce, however truthfully I would like to see this sort of stuff being stopped, particularly since it isn’t solely occurring to us however numerous indie devs that simply lack the authorized energy.”
As of this story’s publication, the Flight Simulator 2025 web page stays reside on the PlayStation Store. It describes an expertise that “units a brand new commonplace in aviation simulation, combining ultra-realistic flight dynamics with breathtaking visuals.” No gameplay for the undertaking has been revealed.
“Can shovelware simply be banned from the shop please? It’s packed to the brim with it and makes searching an absolute chore,” one other Reddit user added. “I don’t bear in mind it being this dangerous in prior generations.”
PlayStation took a stand in opposition to what many consult with as “spam” titles in 2022. On the time, it was believed the transfer was made to struggle again in opposition to easy-to-Platinum video games, or titles that exist virtually solely for the aim of accelerating gamers’ Platinum Trophy depend. Nevertheless, many shovelware titles nonetheless exist on the PlayStation Store and different digital storefronts at the moment.
We introduced a magnifying glass as much as the difficulty final month to take a more in-depth have a look at how shovelware titles impression each avid gamers and builders. We spoke to a number of builders to be taught extra about not solely how these video games discover their manner onto digital storefronts however PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, and Valve’s vetting course of.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He is greatest recognized for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure you give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
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