Nintendo changes the organization of its eShop to prioritize quality games

Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC digital stores have become essential platforms for exploring and purchasing video games. However, these platforms also face a growing problem: the proliferation of low-quality titles, known as shovelware, that seek to deceive players with imitations or subpar experiences. Examples of this include copies of popular titles like Animal Crossing and The Last of Us, which highlight a dilemma in these digital services.

Nintendo has made a small change that makes a big difference

In light of this situation, Nintendo has implemented a change in the organization of its eShop, modifying the way video games are highlighted. According to an update reported by the YouTube channel GVG, the platform now prioritizes titles based on the revenue generated in the last 72 hours, instead of the sales in 48 hours as was customary. This change aims to reduce the visibility of lower-quality games, which are often distributed at low prices and managed to occupy prominent positions on the sales lists.

With this new policy, a low-quality game priced at 1 euro will need to sell between 60 and 70 units to achieve the same visibility as an exclusive Nintendo title. This adjustment aims to reduce the impact of shovelware on the eShop; however, it also poses a challenge for independent developers offering games at low prices. These creators will now find themselves needing to increase their sales to stand out, which could negatively affect their ability to compete on the platform.

In the long term, it will be interesting to see if this strategy from Nintendo translates into an effective reduction of shovelware or if, on the contrary, it represents an additional burden for indie developers, who bring diversity and creativity to the eShop. The gaming community and industry observers will be watching closely to see how these changes unfold in the video game market.

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