Fans fast to rejoice the reveal of a Microsoft Flight Simulator PlayStation Store web page have 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 recreation after Reddit user CreativeRaspberry314 shared Trophy info associated to a possible PS4 and PS5 model earlier in the present day. It can be thrilling – if not considerably unsurprising – to see Microsoft carry extra Xbox titles to PlayStation followers, however the spotted store page isn’t formally associated to Microsoft Flight Simulator in any approach, form, or type.
“Sadly, that is only a copycat shovelware recreation,” one Reddit user added. “Straight up shovelware,” one other added. “Actually 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.”
Instead, the Flight Simulator 2025 on PlayStation is being revealed by an organization named Grizzly Games Limited. As noticed by Eurogamer, the corporate shares a reputation with Thronefall developer Grizzly Games however can be fully unrelated to that entity. While that workforce is answerable for different titles like Superflight and Islanders, the Grizzly Games Limited website reveals a catalog of what look like cellular 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 Games Limited. Grizzly Games says it’s not related to the corporate, including that it’s utilizing “each our identify and emblem illegally.”
“Furthermore they appear to include absolutely the reverse of our values, of what we stand for and what we’re making an attempt to provide to the gaming group,” Grizzly Games continued. “Unfortunately our authorized assets are restricted as a two-person indie workforce, however actually I’d like to see this sort of stuff being stopped, particularly since it isn’t solely taking place 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 dwell on the PlayStation Store. It describes an expertise that “units a brand new normal 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 keep in mind it being this unhealthy in prior generations.”
PlayStation took a stand towards what many seek advice from as “spam” titles in 2022. At the time, it was believed the transfer was made to battle again towards easy-to-Platinum video games, or titles that exist nearly solely for the aim of accelerating gamers’ Platinum Trophy depend. However, many shovelware titles nonetheless exist on the PlayStation Store and different digital storefronts in the present day.
We introduced a magnifying glass as much as the difficulty final month to take a better take a look at how shovelware titles affect each players and builders. We spoke to a number of builders to study extra about not solely how these video games discover their approach onto digital storefronts however PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, and Valve’s vetting course of.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He’s greatest recognized for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be positive to provide him a comply with on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
