shovelware
Mass-produced gaming trash
Shovelware is software produced in bulk with little regard for quality, typically to fill out a product catalog or pad a collection.
The term evokes shoveling content onto a disc or platform without curation: The budget game compilation was pure shovelware.
Originally applied to hastily assembled CD-ROM collections in the 1990s, it now describes any low-effort digital content mass-produced for quick profit.
Unwanted preinstalled software
- crapwareUseless preloaded programs
- junkwareUnwanted preloaded programs
- freewareComplimentary computer programs
- trialwareTime-limited software version
nagware · adware · preinstalled · vaporware · abandonware · shareware · bundled · bloated
Substandard in nature
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- inferiorOf lower rank
- second-rateBelow acceptable standards
- cheapLow in price
rushed · uninspired · halfhearted · slapdash · shoddy · forgettable · disposable · throwaway
Gathered works assembled together
- bundleGathered items tied together
- collectionGathered set of items
- packagingProtective product enclosure
- distributionAllocation across recipients
disc · CD-ROM · DVD · preloaded · pack · assortment · anthology · suite
Excessive surplus
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- oversupplyExcess beyond demand
- saturationState of complete permeation
- overproductionExcessive manufacture beyond need
overabundance · proliferation · inundation · bloat · padding · filler · overflow · overkill
Left behind completely
- forgottenNo longer recalled
- outdatedNo longer in use
- dustyCoated with fine particles
- obsoleteNo longer in use
unmaintained · legacy · deprecated · unsupported · archived · defunct · retro · vintage
bloatware
Unwanted preinstalled software
- crapwareUseless preloaded programs
- junkwareUnwanted preloaded programs
- freewareComplimentary computer programs
trialware · nagware · adware · preinstalled · vaporware · abandonware · shareware · bundled · bloated · unwanted
low-quality
Substandard in nature
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- inferiorOf lower rank
- second-rateBelow acceptable standards
cheap · rushed · uninspired · halfhearted · slapdash · shoddy · forgettable · disposable · throwaway · low-effort
compilation
Gathered works assembled together
- bundleGathered items tied together
- collectionGathered set of items
- packagingProtective product enclosure
distribution · disc · CD-ROM · DVD · preloaded · pack · assortment · anthology · suite · megapack
glut
Excessive surplus
- surplusAmount exceeding requirement
- oversupplyExcess beyond demand
- saturationState of complete permeation
overproduction · overabundance · proliferation · inundation · bloat · padding · filler · overflow · overkill · deluge
abandoned
Left behind completely
obsolete · unmaintained · legacy · deprecated · unsupported · archived · defunct · retro · vintage · mothballed
- unwanted softwareadware, bloatware, crapware, grayware, junkware
- gaming businessmicrotransactions, loot boxes, DLC, pay-to-win, battle pass
shovelwareflagship product
Company's main commercial offering
passion project · labor of love · masterpiece · killer app · crown jewel
shovelwarecurated collection
Items purposefully gathered together
anthology · editor's choice · definitive edition · quality over quantity
shovel, hardware, software, shovels, shoveling, cookware, shoveled, ware, tableware