Playstation silently drops destruction allstars – a bleak signal for live service gaming
The digital graveyard has claimed another victim: PlayStation has abruptly pulled Destruction AllStars from sale and shut down its servers, effectively erasing the game from existence.
A sudden, unexplained demise
Just days after Bungie’s announcement of significant layoffs and a winding-down of support for Destiny 2, Sony’s move feels less like a strategic realignment and more like a chilling admission of failure. Players were notified via PlayStation notifications – a disturbingly understated approach – with the game’s social media account, dormant since 2022, offering no explanation. This wasn’t a planned sunset; it was a swift, brutal execution.
A reviewer’s lament
We initially gave Destruction AllStars a 6/10 back in 2021, acknowledging a certain foundational competency – the vehicular combat, when it wasn’t devolving into a chaotic mess, could be genuinely satisfying. But the game fundamentally lacked the cohesive punch to justify its existence. As we wrote, “Destruction AllStars can provide short bursts of action-packed chaos that are at their most fun when kept simple.” The driving? Enjoyable, briefly. The on-foot gameplay? Pointless. It was a party game struggling to find its footing, a concept that simply didn’t deliver.
Lucid games’ uncertain future
Developed by Lucid Games, a studio born from the ashes of Bizarre Creations – a cautionary tale of Activision’s failed acquisitions – Destruction AllStars represented a departure for the team, attempting a blend of destruction derby and on-foot action. While they’ve touched on other projects like Sea of Thieves, the lack of follow-up since 2021 paints a stark picture. This isn't just a single game failure; it’s a testament to the difficulty in sustaining a live-service offering.
A symptom of a larger problem
Destruction AllStars’ demise, coupled with Bungie's struggles, isn’t a coincidence. It’s a damning indictment of PlayStation’s live-service strategy. While titles like Helldivers 2 and Gran Turismo 7 have managed to generate revenue, they remain outliers. The market is undeniably shifting, and Sony’s belated response suggests a painful reckoning is underway. Fairgames, currently shrouded in speculation regarding a potential re-reveal, may offer a glimmer of hope, but the underlying question remains: can PlayStation truly adapt to this evolving landscape?
The silence surrounding the game, the abrupt shutdown – it’s not a valiant farewell; it’s a digital shrug. $60 down the drain.