Destruction AllStars Servers Shutting Down: The End of a PS5 Launch Window Exclusive

In a move that highlights the volatile nature of live-service multiplayer games, Sony has announced the impending server shutdown for Destruction AllStars. The PS5-exclusive vehicular combat game, developed by Lucid Games, will be rendered completely unplayable later this year, marking the end of its nearly four-year run.

The Final Lap: Server Shutdown Details

The announcement confirms the end-of-life plan for the colorful and chaotic arena brawler. For the small but dedicated community that stuck with the game, this news marks the final countdown to its permanent closure.

When is Destruction AllStars Shutting Down?

The official date for the server shutdown is June 6, 2024. After this date, all online multiplayer modes and single-player features that require a server connection will cease to function. The game will effectively become unplayable, as its core experience is built entirely around its online functionality.

What This Means for Players

Starting now, the game and its associated currency packs have been removed from the PlayStation Store, preventing new players from purchasing it. For existing owners, the game will remain in their library but will fail to connect to servers after the shutdown date. This is a definitive end, with no plans for an offline mode or peer-to-peer matchmaking to preserve the experience.

A Look Back at the Game’s Tumultuous Journey

Destruction AllStars had a unique and challenging history, launching in a key window for the PlayStation 5 but struggling to find a lasting audience.

A Bumpy Launch

Initially revealed as a full-priced, $70 launch title for the PS5, Destruction AllStars was delayed at the last minute. Sony then pivoted its strategy, instead releasing the game in February 2021 as a free title for PlayStation Plus subscribers. While this move massively expanded its initial player base, it also set a precedent that made a transition to a paid model difficult.

The Core Gameplay Loop

The game centered on frantic, 16-player arena matches where players would smash into each other with unique vehicles. When a player’s car was wrecked, they would eject and continue the fight on foot, using parkour skills to dodge opponents and hijack new vehicles. Each of the game’s “AllStars” had a unique hero vehicle and on-foot abilities, adding a layer of character-based strategy to the demolition derby formula.

Struggle for a Lasting Community

Despite the explosive initial interest thanks to PlayStation Plus, the game’s player count dwindled over the subsequent months. The developers at Lucid Games continued to support the title with new seasons, modes, and characters, but it failed to retain a large, active community necessary to sustain a live-service model in a highly competitive market.

Why Online-Only Games Get Delisted

The fate of Destruction AllStars is not uncommon in the modern gaming landscape. Several factors often lead to a developer’s difficult decision to shut down a game’s servers.

• Declining Player Base: The most common reason. When not enough people are playing, matchmaking times become long, and the experience suffers for the remaining players.
• Server Maintenance Costs: Keeping servers running for a global audience is expensive. If a game is not generating sufficient revenue through sales or microtransactions, it becomes financially unsustainable.
• Shifting Developer Resources: Studios often need to move their teams to new, more promising projects. Supporting an underperforming live-service game can divert valuable resources from future titles.
• Technical Obsolescence: Over time, the technology and server architecture a game is built on can become outdated and difficult to maintain.