Sony Cuts Ties with Stonks-9800 Developer, 14 Games Facing Removal Soon

Ternox Games, known for its indie hits like the popular 2023 title STONKS-9800: Stock Market Simulator, has revealed that its publishing agreement with Sony has been abruptly terminated. Consequently, all of Ternox Games’ titles are set to be removed from the PlayStation Store after August 23, with no explanation provided for this sudden decision.

The announcement, made last night, indicated that 14 games previously available on the PlayStation Store will be taken down within the next week. Ternox Games expressed frustration on social media, stating, “PlayStation Support refuses to listen to my arguments or even respond to my emails in any way. This means I will no longer be able to self-publish my games on PlayStation.”

The developer had plans to release a PS5 version in 2027 and hoped to produce a physical disc edition while it was still feasible. Unfortunately, those plans are now off the table, though they remain committed to creating a physical edition for PC and Switch.

As for STONKS-9800, it will not be making its way to the PS5.

Many have noted that Sony has been actively removing titles from the PlayStation Store, having eliminated over 1,000 games in March 2026 alone. However, Ternox Games does not fit the mold of a shovelware publisher—at least not entirely.

While some titles in Ternox’s lineup, like Finger Fitness, raise eyebrows, the majority are simply low-budget indie games. For instance, Taimumari: Complete Edition is a straightforward platformer, not shovelware by any means.

Moreover, Ternox Games has shown significant improvement in quality over the years. STONKS-9800: Stock Market Simulator, which was slated for the PlayStation Store, has garnered an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam with nearly 3,000 reviews, despite its title sounding like it could be shovelware.

So, if Ternox Games isn’t producing low-effort content, why the sudden targeting? Without an official statement from Sony, it’s hard to say for certain. It’s possible that an automated system flagged some of Ternox’s titles as shovelware, leading to the removal of all their games. Until Sony provides clarity or reverses its decision, the true reason remains a mystery.