PlayStation trophy hunters just got a wake-up call. ThiGames, the German publisher behind thigames.de, has been systematically flooding PSN with shovelware titles disguised as legitimate games. Their latest scam? An endless parade of near-identical ‘Jumping Dog’ games engineered for quick Platinum trophies with zero gameplay value.
Who Is ThiGames?
ThiGames operates out of Germany under the ownership of Thilo Kruczek, who also runs GTA fan site GTAPlanet.de. What started as a modest publishing venture has exploded into a trophy farming operation. Since early 2022, ThiGames has dumped over 50 titles onto PS4 and PS5 stores – nearly all following identical formulas with reskinned assets and trophy lists begging for Platinum hunters.
Their portfolio screams shovelware. Titles like Jumping Dog, Break Bricks, Head-to-Head Racing, and Mr. Hibbl share identical mechanics, art styles, and trophy progression. PSNProfiles data shows these games selling between 400-2800 copies each across regions, generating tidy profits from trophy completionists who never touch the ‘gameplay.’
The Trophy-Bait Formula
ThiGames perfected the easy-Platinum pipeline:
- Hyper-Simple Gameplay: One-button mechanics anyone can master in 30 seconds
- Generous Checkpoints: No skill barriers between trophies
- Obvious Progression: Trophies unlock sequentially as players advance
- PS4/PS5 Cross-Buy: Double trophy lists from single purchase
- Low Price Point: $1.99-$4.99 hits trophy hunter sweet spot
Mr. Hibbl alone moved 425 copies across North America and Europe. Multiply that across 50+ titles and ThiGames likely cleared six figures targeting exactly one demographic – trophy farmers who never intended to actually play these games.
PlayStation Store’s Shovelware Problem
ThiGames represents gaming’s dirty open secret. Digital storefronts eliminated physical retail gatekeeping, unleashing floods of asset-flip garbage. PSN became trophy hunter paradise and shovelware publisher playground simultaneously.
Community investigators uncovered ThiGames’ operation through basic detective work. Federal Gazette business records showed no trace of the publisher until cross-referencing GTAPlanet.de copyright notices revealed Thilo Kruczek as owner. ThiGames’ own website brags about being ‘officially licensed partners’ across all platforms despite only publishing to PlayStation.
Why ThiGames Targets TrophiesPlatinum trophies carry massive psychological currency. PSNProfiles ranks players by Platinum count, creating artificial demand for easy completions. ThiGames games dominate ‘Most Completed’ leaderboards despite abysmal review scores and zero word-of-mouth.
| ThiGames Title | PSN Sales (Est.) | Platinum % | Average Completion Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumping Dog | 2,800 copies | 42% | 1h 12m |
| Mr. Hibbl | 425 copies | 38% | 58m |
| Break Bricks | 1,200 copies | 35% | 47m |
These aren’t accidents. ThiGames designs for trophy leaderboards first, gameplay second (if at all).
The Bigger Shovelware Ecosystem
ThiGames didn’t invent trophy bait – they perfected it. Competitors like Smobile (Serbian publisher) and Webentics/Klovako flood stores with identical garbage. All target PlayStation’s trophy system specifically.
- Smobile: ‘Run’, ‘Fun’, ‘Break’ template games
- Webentics: Hidden object trophy bait
- ThiGames: Jumping/animal reskins
Sony’s laissez-faire certification process enables this ecosystem. No minimum quality bar, no asset uniqueness requirements, no trophy list scrutiny. Result? Storefronts choked with digital landfill burying legitimate indie games.
What Happens Next
ThiGames continues unabated. Recent PSN listings show fresh batches of reskinned dog/cat/rabbit jumpers hitting stores weekly. Community pressure mounts but Sony remains silent.
Trophy hunters face moral crossroads. Buying shovelware funds more shovelware. Yet Platinum addiction proves difficult to quit. Developers watch legitimate titles struggle for visibility amid the asset-flip tsunami.
FAQs
What defines shovelware?
Low-effort games using recycled assets, minimal development, targeting achievement/trophy completion rather than entertainment value.
Who owns ThiGames?
Thilo Kruczek, also operator of German GTA fansite GTAPlanet.de. German-based but exclusively publishes to PlayStation platforms.
Why target PlayStation specifically?
PSN’s Platinum trophy system creates artificial demand. Easy completions boost player rankings, driving sales among completionists.
How much do ThiGames games earn?
Estimates suggest $100K+ across 50+ titles. Individual games sell 400-2800 copies at $2-5 each to trophy hunters.
Does Sony regulate this content?
No meaningful quality controls exist. Sony certifies games based on technical compliance, not entertainment value or originality.
Are all easy-Platinum games shovelware?
No. Some developers design accessible achievement lists intentionally. Shovelware distinguished by asset recycling and absent gameplay depth.
Will ThiGames face consequences?
Unlikely. Digital stores prioritize content volume over quality curation. Shovelware generates storefront activity and microtransactions.
How to avoid shovelware?
Check review scores, watch gameplay first, research publishers, avoid suspiciously easy trophy lists, support known developers.
Conclusion
ThiGames exposes digital distribution’s dark underbelly. What began as democratization became storefront pollution. Trophy hunters fuel profitable scams while legitimate indies drown in digital sewage. PlayStation’s quality crisis won’t self-correct – consumers must reject shovelware en masse or watch stores become worthless wastelands of ‘Jumping Dog 47.’