Sony has a big spam account problem on the PS Store PS Store spam accounts have become somewhat of a problem lately, impacting the PS5 and PS4 experience similar to how paid platinums used to.Sean Lawson Published 01 Oct 2024 FollowtopicsPlayStation 4PlayStation 5Sean Lawson There is a new problem plaguing Sony and it involves the PS Store and spam accounts. It looks like Sony's attempt to get rid of these isn't exactly foolproof. Even if you think these games have the looks of one of the best PS5 games around, it’s worth noting that they tend to be simple asset flips from online marketplaces.The PS5 and PS4 PS Store has a serious spam problemSony has recently removed all of the games from a publisher called Midnight Works. This publisher was uploading lazy content that used recycled assets, featured uninspired gameplay, and looked like it used AI to create artwork — a new trend I reported on a few months ago.While we don't know the exact reason, it seems likely that Sony removed Midnight Works games from the PS Store after breaking one of Sony's policies — most likely the same restrictions that are supposed to keep spam games and paid platinums banned on the PS Store. So, you'd think it was a closed book and Midnight Works would now fade into obscurity, its games to never be seen again. However, something fishy is currently underway on the PS Store.A new publisher under the name GBT UI Solutions has appeared on the PS Store and is publishing games that are eerily similar to what Midnight Works used to release. So far the publisher has only two games on the PS Store — Drift Master Simulator and Only Up. A third is set for release later this month called Prison Survival Inmate Life Simulator.Looking closely at all three games, however: they are the exact same titles that Midnight Works published with a few minor tweaks. For example, if we look at the Drift Master Simulator trophies and compare them to the Drift Reign trophies, you'll see two identical lists. The only differences between the games are minor adjustments to the key art, game titles, trophy images, and trophy descriptions. The in-game assets remain the same. To us, it looks like GBT UI Solutions is just Midnight Works under a new name — or at least a third party being used to re-upload these previously removed games.The same applies to the two other games from GBT UI Solutions. Take a look at the Only Up trophies and the Only Way Up Parkour Jump Simulator trophies as well as with the currently unreleased Prison Survival Inmate Life Simulator trophies and the Prison Life Simulator trophies. The only differences are the trophy images, trophy descriptions, the key art used, and the slightly altered game names — everything else is exactly the same.There is also the same situation unfolding between the Survival Raft Simulator trophies (published by Midnight Works) and the Survival Float Simulator Crocodile Waters Craft Raft Build trophies. However, this title has been republished by PublishMe Agency. Whether these companies are aware that they're publishing previously banned PS5 games or not is currently unclear. Both Midnight Works and GBT UI Solutions are registered companies in the same Romanian district and the given addresses' are only a few streets apart — but GBT UI Solutions has no further documented details. Combined with the other information of similarities between game releases, this suggests GBT UI Solutions has intimate ties to Midnight Works.PublishMe Agency is a Turkish company that, with my preliminary glances, looks unrelated to the other two. Whether it is aware that it is publishing previously banned PS5 games or not is currently unclear. We have reached out to PublishMe for a comment.At least there were a few more changes made with Survival Float Simulator. Along with the key art, game name, trophy images, and trophy descriptions, the game has swapped out the shark for a crocodile. I think it goes without saying that the effort put into this one is next level.What's clear here is that even though Sony has stepped in to remove these games from the PS Store, there are certainly ways for developers to duke the system and get their games on there anyway. If Sony wants to tackle this problem head-on, they'll need to put a lot more effort in.Personally, I hate these kinds of games. They are usually shoddily made, take barely any creativity to conjure up, and tend to use recycled assets. It genuinely feels like the PS Store is being swamped with paid platinums all over again and I really hope it doesn't break out on that scale as it made navigating the PS Store a chore.What do you guys make of this? Have you played any of these games from Midnight Works? Don't worry, none of the games from GBT UI Solutions will be landing on our upcoming PS5 games guide. Make sure to let us know your thoughts and feelings about this situation in the comments below!PlayStation 5PlayStation 4 Written by Sean LawsonSean is a Staff Writer who focuses on the geekiest Sony news. He specializes in PlayStation trophies, the best PS Plus games, RPGs, and fighting games. Sean is using this experience to cover Dragon Age The Veilguard, Monster Hunter Wilds, Funko Fusion, and Silent Hill 2 for PS5, all while he still dives into favorite games like Mass Effect, Tomb Raider, and Persona.