The shutdown took effect on May 26, 2026, and from that point, players could no longer access online multiplayer. Destruction Points, the game’s premium currency, stopped being sold, while the title also disappeared from the PlayStation Store.

Single-player content is not gone yet, as Sony has confirmed that owners can still access offline and Arcade modes until 25 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC.

After that date, full server support ends. Only offline Arcade challenges will remain, and even those may not work smoothly once servers go down completely.

Sony linked the multiplayer shutdown to “ongoing technical issues.” In the notice describing how services had already been taken offline before the final closure window, it was confirmed that remaining currency can still be used until November 2026.

Sony launched Destruction AllStars with high expectations, first positioned as a PlayStation 5 launch title in 2020, then delayed it to February 2021.

When it finally arrived, it moved from a full-priced release to a PlayStation Plus offering for a limited period, before settling at a lower price point later on.

Lucid Games developed the title, and Sony published it as a first-party project. The studio had previously worked on Geometry Wars and support work on Sea of Thieves. Despite that backing, the game found it difficult to hold attention after launch.

Reviews were mixed. It scored 62 on Metacritic, while user ratings fell below average. Many players criticised the limited content and heavy focus on in-game purchases.

The online base dropped within months, and reports suggested losses of nearly 80% early on. Sony tried to stabilise the game with bots in multiplayer and added only one content season in May 2021.

The shutdown also reveals Sony’s struggles in live-service gaming. Other projects have already faced similar outcomes, including Concord, which closed shortly after launch, and a cancelled The Last of Us multiplayer project that never reached release.

For players still holding trophies, some achievements tied to multiplayer will now be impossible to unlock. Refunds for unused currency are not being issued, although players can still spend remaining Destruction Points until the November cutoff.

Join us on a captivating journey through the history of gaming consoles, exploring their evolution, technological advancements, and the impact they have had on the gaming industry and beyond.

The Birth of Gaming Consoles

The origins of gaming consoles can be traced back to the early 1970s, when the first commercial console, the Magnavox Odyssey, hit the market. Developed by Ralph Baer, the Odyssey introduced the concept of interactive gaming at home, paving the way for a revolution in entertainment. It was a simple console that used cartridges to play games. 

The Golden Age of Arcade

In the 1980s, the gaming industry exploded with the release of the Atari 2600. This console was one of the first to use interchangeable cartridges, allowing players to switch between games.

While consoles gained popularity, the arcade era dominated the 1980s. Games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong attracted massive crowds to arcades, igniting a gaming craze and pushing the boundaries of technology.

The Nintendo Revolution

In the mid-1980s, Nintendo changed the gaming landscape forever with the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This iconic console revived the video game industry after the infamous video game crash of 1983, setting a new standard for home gaming and introducing beloved characters like Mario and Zelda.

Technological Advancements in the 1990s

The 1990s saw the rise of 16-bit consoles like the Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo (SNES), leading to fierce competition between gaming giants. Improved graphics and sound capabilities brought games to life in ways previously unimaginable, captivating players worldwide.

Nintendo released the Game Boy, a handheld console that allowed players to take their games on the go. 

3D Gaming and CD-ROMs

The mid-1990s brought a revolutionary shift with the advent of 3D gaming. Consoles like the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn introduced three-dimensional graphics, while CD-ROMs allowed for more extensive and more immersive game worlds.

Sony’s PlayStation was the first console to use CDs instead of cartridges.

The New Millennium: Online Gaming and Connectivity

Entering the new millennium, gaming consoles took another leap forward with online connectivity. Microsoft’s Xbox Live and Sony’s PlayStation Network allowed players to compete and collaborate globally, fostering a vibrant online gaming community.

Motion Sensing and Beyond

In the 2000s, Microsoft entered the gaming industry with the release of the Xbox. This console was the first to include an internal hard drive, allowing players to save their progress and download games.

The mid-2000s witnessed a new era with the introduction of motion-sensing technology. The Nintendo Wii brought interactive gaming to a broader audience, while the Xbox Kinect and PlayStation Move added innovative ways to play.

The Current Generation

As we approach today, gaming consoles have become multi-functional entertainment hubs. The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and other contemporary consoles deliver breathtaking graphics, incredibly fast load times, and seamless integration with streaming services, blurring the line between gaming and media consumption.

The history of gaming consoles showcases a remarkable journey of innovation and technological advancement. From the simple beginnings of Pong to the immersive virtual worlds of today, gaming consoles have consistently pushed the limits of what is possible in interactive entertainment. 

As we eagerly anticipate the future of gaming, one thing remains certain – the evolution of gaming consoles is far from over, and they will continue to shape the way we experience games for generations to come.