Sony has confirmed that the online multiplayer services of a PlayStation 4 exclusive game released in 2017 will be permanently discontinued next year.

PlayStation 4 exclusive racing game Gran Turismo Sport will be discontinued on 31 January 2024. While it was not a numbered part of the series, it is technically the seventh main episode of the Gran Turismo franchise. While other Gran Turismo games have received critical acclaim and are among the best-selling games on PlayStation, Gran Turismo Sport received a mixed reception upon its release.

Gran Turismo Sport received mixed reviews, mainly due to its emphasis on online multiplayer. Some media enjoyed Gran Turismo Sport’s online multiplayer modes, while others were unhappy that it came at the expense of tracks and cars, with GT Sport having less content at launch than other games in the series. Unfortunately for those who enjoy Gran Turismo Sport and its various online modes, this part of the game will be discontinued on 31 January 2024.

Before Gran Turismo Sport’s online multiplayer features are discontinued, all DLC will be removed on 1 December 2023. The online modes that will be affected by the shutdown are Community, Open Lobby and the main Sport Mode. Community Creations will also not be available after the shutdown. Gran Turismo Sport offline modes will still be available, and users will be able to re-download any DLC they have previously purchased.

When will Gran Turismo Sport Online close?

Sony’s decision to shut down Gran Turismo Sport’s online features means that some of the game’s trophies will become unavailable from 31 January. For those who want to earn the Gran Turismo Sport Platinum trophy, be sure to prioritise the game if you want to complete it fully by the termination date.

While it’s likely many years away, a similar fate could await Gran Turismo Sport’s successor, Gran Turismo 7. Gran Turismo 7 received rave reviews on its release, with the PS5 version in particular being praised. Despite the positive reviews, Gran Turismo 7 has not escaped criticism. One of the main points of criticism is Gran Turismo 7’s always-online requirement. If the game’s servers ever went down, the game would become completely unplayable – unless, of course, an update was released that would allow Gran Turismo 7 to be played offline.

Source : GameRant