PlayStation Shuts Down Servers for 10 Games in 2026
The digital gaming landscape is undergoing a significant shift as Sony prepares to permanently deactivate online servers for 10 popular PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 titles between July and August 2026. This wave of server closures marks the end of online connectivity for several sports and action titles, with many of these games also being removed from digital storefronts entirely. Players hoping to secure final trophies or complete online-only objectives must act quickly, as the window to finish these tasks is closing rapidly across the summer months.
- Ten distinct PlayStation games will lose all online server support between July 8 and August 31, 2026.
- Affected titles will be removed from digital storefronts, effectively ending their availability for purchase.
- The PlayStation Stars loyalty program will conclude on July 31, resulting in the permanent loss of unspent reward points.
The transition begins on July 8, 2026, with the termination of online features for DiRT Rally 2.0 on PS4. This trend continues swiftly, as Madden NFL 23 players on both PS4 and PS5 will lose their online functionality on July 13. These closures represent a broader industry trend where developers phase out older infrastructure to focus resources on newer, active projects. 
Gamers focused on earning platinum trophies must prioritize their progress immediately before these servers go dark forever.
Specific Titles Face Imminent Service Termination
The list of affected games is diverse, spanning various genres and console generations. On July 20, the PS5 version of New World: Aeternum will see its online services shuttered, followed shortly by the PS4 title Let It Die on July 30. Fans of Tearaway will also lose online capabilities on August 13, affecting both PS4 and PS Vita users. 
As August progresses, the scope of these closures expands to include several sports titles. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 and WWE 2K Battlegrounds are scheduled to lose their online features on August 20. The month concludes with a major impact on the NHL franchise, as both NHL 22 and NHL 23 will have their servers completely deactivated on August 31, 2026.
PlayStation Stars Program Will Cease Operations
Beyond individual game titles, the company is also discontinuing its digital loyalty platform, PlayStation Stars. This program, which allows users to earn rewards and digital collectibles, will officially wrap up on July 31. 
Users must redeem their remaining balance of points before the July deadline to avoid losing them entirely.
The removal of these games from digital marketplaces raises ongoing concerns regarding digital preservation. When servers are decommissioned and titles are delisted, the ability for future generations to experience these games as they were intended is severely diminished. These decisions emphasize the fragile nature of digital ownership in an era where software relies heavily on remote server authentication.
We are interested to hear how you feel about the loss of online support for these titles; please leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the future of digital game preservation.
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