Sony Reportedly Skipping Vetting Process for New PS Store Games

Sony’s approach to the PlayStation Store submissions is becoming increasingly lax, with more and more low-quality games making their way in. Just a week after we highlighted a peculiar entry titled “Grand Taking Ages VI” that somehow bypassed Sony’s scrutiny, another questionable game has emerged, featuring a character reminiscent of Joel from The Last of Us.

A Reddit user recently flagged an amusing find on the PS Store: a screenshot from Forest Ranger Life Simulator. This game has been “announced” in the same vein as the spoof-like GTA VI and numerous other bizarre listings, most of which seem more like practical jokes than legitimate games.

The developer behind Forest Ranger Life Simulator is “Grizzly Games Limited,” a name that doesn’t carry much weight outside of Sony’s ecosystem. Their games, often just in the “announced” phase, include titles like Criminal Simulator and Drug Trader Simulator. Their lone release aligns with what people might expect, based on its reception.

Sony acted quickly to remove the listing for Grand Taking Ages VI after it drew media attention, indicating some level of oversight, albeit reactive. Yet, the fact remains that such submissions keep finding their way onto the platform, suggesting potential gaps in Sony’s vetting process. Like the infamous fake GTA VI, Forest Ranger Life Simulator probably won’t make its debut on PS Store shelves, but somehow, “Dollar Store Joel,” as players have affectionately dubbed him, managed to sneak past Sony’s gatekeepers.

While we’re used to stumbling upon shovelware in the PS Store, the current scenario feels more egregious because these aren’t even viable games. At least with actual shovelware, there’s some gameplay and the chance to earn a few laughable trophies.