Digital game stores struggle with flood of low-quality titles

Gamers wade through a sea of "eslop" in search of hidden gems.
Nintendo games sale featuring anime, mythology, sports.
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TL;DR
  • Console digital stores are flooded with low-quality "eslop" games, frustrating users and developers.
  • Finding quality indie titles has become difficult due to poor store navigation and curation.
  • Platforms need to improve algorithms and implement better quality control measures to address the issue.

Nintendo’s eShop and other console digital storefronts are facing a growing problem: an overwhelming influx of low-quality games. This deluge of subpar titles, dubbed “eslop” by frustrated users, is making it increasingly difficult for gamers to discover worthwhile indie games amidst the clutter.

The issue came to light as developers and players alike voiced their concerns over the ease with which unsupported and often offensive content makes its way onto these platforms. Many users report struggling to navigate through countless hentai slide puzzles and AI-generated games just to find quality indie titles.

Unlike Steam, which has made strides in improving its algorithms and store curation, console stores seem to be lagging behind. The PlayStation Store faces similar criticism, with its new arrivals section often dominated by low-effort games, despite having better default filters than Nintendo’s eShop.

This problem isn’t just annoying for users—it’s having a real impact on indie developers. Quality games are getting lost in the shuffle, making it harder for creative and substantive titles to gain visibility. Some developers are calling for a “Seal of Quality” system to help users identify worthwhile games more easily.

The situation brings back memories of the 1980s video game crash, which was partly caused by a market flooded with poor-quality games. That crisis led Nintendo to implement strict quality controls, revitalizing the industry. Now, history seems to be repeating itself in the digital realm.

While the democratization of game development tools has lowered entry barriers, leading to more diverse content, it has also opened the floodgates to low-quality submissions. Platforms like itch.io have shown that community-driven curation can be effective in showcasing unique indie projects, providing a potential model for console stores to follow.

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