As a gamer, there is probably no better feeling than making money Platinum trophy. It means that the player has done everything the game asked, whether it's conquering the hardest challenges, exploring every corner, or completing every optional objective. For many PlayStation fans, this is more than a digital reward; it is a testament to dedication and mastery.
But what happens when a game goes platinum? 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 have been tied to now-defunct features. Players can purchase the game and complete all of the offline content, but unlocking Platinum will come with an online trophy or two.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2
Servers have been shut down, online trophies are locked forever
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 a generation, but over time its online backbone began to crumble.
In 2023, Activision officially disconnected the online servers for the older ones Call of Duty titles on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This earned her 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 Zombie maps ever made: “Origins”. But nostalgia won't save Platinum Dreams players here.
Battleborn
Shutting down the game completely made trophies unavailable
Battleborn was Gearbox Software's attempt to create a heroic shooter before the term (and genre) became popular. It combined a first-person shooter with MOBA-style gameplay and allowed players to control unique characters with special abilities. It had a full campaign and competitive multiplayer at launch.
The platinum trophy depended on online progress and achievements associated with the game's live service. When Gearbox announced the server shutdown, it wasn't just bad news; that was the end of the whole game. January 31, 2021 BattlebornThe servers have been permanently disconnected and with them the hope of unlocking the last trophy.
WWE 2K23
Shutting down 2K's online servers ended all access to trophy-based modes
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 these activities were linked to specific trophies needed to unlock Platinum.
When 2K announced that the servers would shut down in early 2025, trophy hunters knew what was coming: Platinum would soon be impossible to unlock. Players can still enjoy offline career modes and exhibition matches, but these do not cover all trophies. The “Online Veteran” and “Acknowledge Me” trophies, among others, require actual matchmaking, which is no longer possible.
The LittleBigPlanet series
The online servers of the series are no more
The LittleBigPlanet trilogy on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita represented everything creative about gaming. Players could create their own levels, share them online and earn trophies for interacting with the community. Unfortunately, Sony retired the older servers LittleBigPlanet games due to ongoing security and maintenance issues.
Even if LittleBigPlanet 3 it still works offline, its online part and thus platinum requirements remain disconnected. The matter with LittleBigPlanet is that 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 problems
Portal 2 on the PlayStation 3 represented one of the best puzzle game experiences ever. Players could solve puzzles using teleportation portals, either solo or in co-op. Unfortunately, the PS3 version's online co-op mode was bundled with several trophies.
Trophies like “Professor Portal” that required completing a co-op calibration course with a friend who has never played before are now unobtainable as the matchmaking system is dead. Without servers, there is no way to invite or join another player in the game. Players can still complete the entire story offline, but the Platinum Trophy remains unavailable for anyone starting over.
Mad Max
Online leaderboard system disabled
Mad Max
7/10
- Released
-
September 1, 2015
Avalanche Studios Mad Max was an underrated hit when it launched in 2015. The game allows players to roam the wasteland, build a car, and fight raiders across a desolate world. For years his Platinum was attainable with enough grinding. After that, the servers supporting the online features will silently shut down.
The problem was the only trophy associated with online leaderboards and the “Scrap Crew” system. These features are connected to a server that tracked progress and rewards. Once this connection was lost, the game could no longer sync this data, and without it, one of the required trophies became permanently locked, making Platinum impossible to obtain.
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Multiplayer servers closed
Killzone: Shadow Fall was one of the first games to be released on the PlayStation 4. Its campaign showcased the console's graphical power, and its multiplayer mode kept fans busy for years. Unfortunately, in August 2022, Guerrilla Games officially shut down the online servers. Several trophies tied to multiplayer matches and ranks have been permanently locked.
Players needed to earn kills, complete challenges, and reach specific levels in online game modes like Intercept to unlock Platinum. Once these servers went offline, these tasks could not be completed. While fans can still enjoy the offline single player campaign, the trophy list will forever remain incomplete.
Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron
Once the servers are removed, multiplayer trophies that require co-op matches can no longer be earned
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, these online battles are now gone.
Activision has shut down the servers Fall of Cybertron will remove multiplayer access entirely in early 2020. A number of trophies have been tied to the online mode, including leveling up and winning matches. Once the servers were taken offline, these trophies became permanently unavailable.
Humanity
Technical problems
Amplitude Studios Humanity should have attacked Civilization by giving players control over entire cultures throughout history. It launched with a combination of single-player and online play, along with Steam and console trophies. However, several of these achievements stopped working properly after updates and possibly disabling online features.
While Humanity remains playable, unattainable trophies frustrate finalists. It's a technical issue, not an issue preventing you from getting Platinum.
Friday the 13th: The Game
Locked due to legal issues
Friday the 13th: The Game was one of those horror games where players are being chased and all they have to do is run 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 dispute over the rights to Friday the 13th license, developers could not continue to support or update their game. This led to the shutdown of the server and the removal of online matchmaking. The shutdown in December 2024 officially ended any chance for new players to earn the Platinum trophy. Several trophies depended on multiplayer sessions and co-op quests, all of which became unavailable once the servers were gone. The good news is that there is an option for a new one Friday the 13th: The Game soon.
