There’s probably no better feeling as a gamer than earning a Platinum Trophy. It means the player has done everything the game asked for, whether it’s conquering its hardest challenges, exploring every corner, or pushing through every optional goal. For many PlayStation fans, it’s more than a digital reward; it’s proof of dedication and mastery.
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Some platinums test skill. Others demand endurance. These do both — and they’re some of the most satisfying achievements in PlayStation history.
But what happens when a game’s Platinum becomes impossible to earn? Not hard, not time-consuming, but officially locked forever. That’s the frustrating reality for a number of titles whose online servers have gone dark or whose core systems were tied to now-defunct features. Players can buy the game and complete all the offline content, but one or two online-dependent Trophies stand in the way of unlcoking the Platinum.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2
Servers Have Shut Down, Online Trophies Are Locked Forever
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Released
- November 13, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
When Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was first released on the PlayStation 3, it was one of the most active online shooters in the world. Its multiplayer Big Leagues defined the series for an entire generation, but as time passed, its online backbone started to crumble.
In 2023, Activision officially pulled the plug on the online servers for older Call of Duty titles on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This made the Platinum trophy in Black Ops 2 officially impossible to get. It’s really painful because Black Ops 2 is still loved by fans for its futuristic setting and fast-paced gunfights. It also had one of the best Zombies maps ever made: “Origins.” But nostalgia won’t save a player's Platinum dreams here.
Battleborn
Full Game Shutdown Made Trophies Unobtainable
Battleborn
- Released
- May 3, 2016
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Battleborn was Gearbox Software’s attempt to create a hero shooter before that term (and genre) became popular. It combined first-person shooting with MOBA-style gameplay, letting players control unique characters with special abilities. At launch, it had a full campaign and competitive multiplayer.
The Platinum Trophy depended on online progression and achievements tied to the game’s live service. When Gearbox announced the server shutdown, it wasn’t just bad news; it was the end of the entire game. On January 31, 2021, Battleborn’s servers were taken offline for good, and with them, any hopes of unlocking that one final Trophy.
WWE 2K23
2K’s Shutdown Of Online Servers Ended All Access To Modes Tied To Trophies
WWE 2K23
- Released
- March 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T FOR TEEN: BLOOD, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE THEMES, VIOLENCE
- Developer(s)
- Visual Concepts
- Genre(s)
- Sports
Sports titles like WWE 2K23 live and die by their online servers. The game allowed players to fight in ranked matches, upload created wrestlers, and participate in online events. Many of those activities were linked to specific trophies required to unlock the Platinum.
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When 2K announced that the servers would shut down in early 2025, trophy hunters knew what was coming: the Platinum was about to become impossible to unlock. Players can still enjoy the offline career modes and exhibition matches, but those don’t cover all the trophies. The “Online Veteran” and “Acknowledge Me” trophies, among others, require actual matchmaking, which is no longer possible.
LittleBigPlanet Series
The Series’ Online Servers Are No More
LittleBigPlanet 3
- Released
- November 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Tobacco Reference
- Developer(s)
- Sumo Digital
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
The LittleBigPlanet trilogy on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita used to represent everything creative about gaming. Players could make custom levels, share them online, and earn trophies for interacting with the community. Sadly, Sony shut down the servers for older LittleBigPlanet games due to ongoing issues with security and maintenance.
Even though LittleBigPlanet 3 still functions offline, its online portion, and therefore its Platinum requirements, remain disconnected. The thing with LittleBigPlanet is, half the fun comes from exploring other players’ creations, and losing that takes a lot of the joy out of the experience.
Portal 2
Server Issues
Portal 2
- Released
- April 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Valve
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
Portal 2 on the PlayStation 3 featured one of the best puzzle experiences in gaming. Players could solve brain-teasing puzzles using teleportation portals, either solo or in co-op. Unfortunately, the PS3 version’s online co-op mode was tied to several trophies.
Trophies like “Professor Portal,” which required completing the co-op calibration course with a friend who had never played before, now can’t be earned because the matchmaking system is dead. Without the servers, there’s no way to invite or connect to another player in-game. Players can still finish the entire story offline, but the Platinum Trophy remains inaccessible for anyone starting fresh.
Mad Max
Online Leaderboard System Disabled
Mad Max
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
Avalanche Studios’ Mad Max was an underrated hit when it launched in 2015. The game lets players roam the wasteland, build their car, and fight raiders across a desolate world. For years, its Platinum was attainable with enough grinding. Then the servers supporting the online features quietly shut down.
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The problem was a single trophy tied to online leaderboards and the “Scrap Crew” system. These features connected to a server that tracked progress and rewards. Once that connection was lost, the game couldn’t sync that data anymore, and without it, one of the required trophies became permanently locked away, which made the Platinum impossible to earn.
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Multiplayer Servers Closed
Killzone: Shadow Fall
- Released
- November 15, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Killzone: Shadow Fall was one of the earliest games to launch on the PlayStation 4. Its campaign showed off the console’s graphical power, and its multiplayer mode kept fans busy for years. Sadly, in August 2022, Guerrilla Games officially shut down the online servers. Several trophies tied to multiplayer matches and ranks became permanently locked.
Players needed to earn kills, complete challenges, and reach specific levels in online play modes like Intercept to unlock the Platinum. Once those servers went offline, those tasks became impossible to complete. Even though fans can still enjoy the offline single-player campaign, the Trophy list will remain forever incomplete.
Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron
With Servers Taken Down, Multiplayer Trophies That Require Co-Op Matches Can No Longer Be Earned
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
- Released
- August 24, 2012
- ESRB
- T // Animated Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- High Moon Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron gave fans a story-driven look at the last days of the Autobots and Decepticons before they came to Earth. The game featured a fun single-player campaign and a multiplayer mode that allowed custom Transformers to battle online. Unfortunately, those online battles are now gone.
Activision shut down the servers for Fall of Cybertron in early 2020, removing access to multiplayer entirely. A number of trophies were tied to the online mode, including leveling up and winning matches. Once the servers were taken offline, those trophies became permanently unobtainable.
Humankind
Technical Issues
Humankind
- Released
- August 17, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- Amplitude Studios
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy
Amplitude Studios’ Humankind was meant to challenge Civilization by giving players control over entire cultures throughout history. It launched with a mix of single-player and online play, along with Steam and console trophies. However, several of those achievements stopped functioning properly after updates and the eventual shutdown of online features.
While Humankind remains playable, the unobtainable trophies have frustrated completionists. It’s a technical issue, not a difficulty one, that prevents Platinum acquisition.
Friday The 13th: The Game
Locked Away Due To Legal Issues
Friday the 13th: The Game
- Released
- May 25, 2017
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Friday the 13th: The Game was one of those horror games where players are being chased, and all they really have to do is run away and survive. The indie game was beloved for its chaotic multiplayer moments and solid scary vibes, but its downfall wasn’t just technical; it was legal.
Due to a rights dispute over the Friday the 13th license, the developers couldn’t continue supporting or updating their game. That led to server shutdowns and the removal of online matchmaking. The shutdown in December 2024 officially ended any chance of new players earning the Platinum Trophy. Several trophies depended on multiplayer sessions and cooperative tasks, all of which became inaccessible once the servers were gone. The good news is that there’s a possibility of a new Friday The 13th: The Game coming soon.
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