Sony Completes Its Live-Service Shift with the Shutdown of Destruction AllStars After Five Years

Destruction AllStars, a vibrant vehicular combat title, was among the first exclusives for the PlayStation 5, launching in February 2021 to a mixed reception shortly after the console’s debut. Unfortunately, its lackluster performance highlighted the challenges Sony faced with its live-service strategy this generation. Recently, it was announced that Destruction AllStars will be permanently taken offline later this year.

Starting May 26, 2026, at 14:00 UTC, Destruction AllStars and its associated virtual currency, Destruction Points, will be removed from the PlayStation Store and will no longer be available for purchase. While single-player modes will remain accessible to current players until November 25, 2026, at 15:00 UTC, when all server support will cease, the multiplayer features have already been disabled. Existing players can still engage with single-player Arcade Mode challenges, but there are no guarantees on functionality as the servers shut down. Any remaining virtual currency will not be refunded, and players will need to use it before the servers go offline. Sony has cited ongoing technical issues as the reason for the immediate loss of online multiplayer.

Initially priced at $70, Destruction AllStars faced delays and was ultimately released at a reduced price of $20, with PS Plus subscribers gaining free access. By May, the developers resorted to filling online matches with bots. Despite receiving over a year of updates, the game struggled to find its footing, foreshadowing difficulties for Sony’s future live-service titles. The studio behind the game, Lucid Games, has since been acquired by a subsidiary of Tencent.

Director Colin Berry noted the challenges of creating a unique gameplay experience, stating, “We don’t have a direct reference point.” He compared the ease of developing arcade racing games to the complexities of blending various influences for Destruction AllStars, which aimed to combine elements from different genres while maintaining its own identity.

The game’s failure also led to the reassignment of the Twisted Metal reboot, which was ultimately canceled. With Destiny 2 set to receive its final update soon, Bungie’s Marathon still seeking player engagement, and Concord’s uncertain future, the November shutdown of Destruction AllStars will mark a challenging chapter in PlayStation’s history.