The gaming community is buzzing with the news that Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), one of the most successful video games in history, is set to leave the PlayStation Plus subscription service. This comes just six months after its addition to the library, which has seen sales exceeding an astounding 210 million copies worldwide. With the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI expected this fall, the departure of GTA V marks a significant moment for fans. However, its not the only noteworthy title that will be exiting the platform in May.

Alongside GTA V, other beloved games will also say goodbye to PlayStation Plus on May 20. Titles such as Batman: Arkham Knight, Payday 2, and Enter The Gungeon will also be removed from the available library. As players prepare to bid farewell to these games, the decision raises eyebrows, particularly the removal of some of Sony's own first-party titles, which previously were only accessible through this service.

For those curious about the complete list of games departing, the PlayStation Plus subreddit has provided a comprehensive roster:

  • Grand Theft Auto V
  • MotoGP 24
  • The Sims 4: Island Living
  • Resistance: Fall of Man
  • Resistance 2
  • Walkabout Mini Golf
  • Synth Riders
  • Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
  • Before Your Eyes
  • The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
  • The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution
  • LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
  • Stranded: Alien Dawn
  • The Lego Movie 2 Videogame
  • Ghostrunner
  • Payday 2: Crimewave Edition
  • Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
  • Journey to the Savage Planet
  • Portal Knights
  • Enter the Gungeon
  • Batman: Arkham Knight
  • Infamous: Second Son

Among these titles, the inclusion of Infamous: Second Son, a game developed by Sucker Punch Productions over a decade ago, stands out as one that seems like a straightforward candidate to keep in the library for all Extra subscribers. Additionally, the removal of the Resistance series, specifically Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2, is perplexing, given that these PS3 games became playable on PS4 and PS5 only through cloud streaming on the Premier tier of PlayStation Plus as of last November. Unless there is a surprise announcement of a Resistance Trilogy Collection port next month, the reasoning behind this decision remains unclear.

This is not the first instance of Sony pulling first-party titles from the PS Plus rotation. Notably, both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West were removed from the service just last year. This trend has drawn scrutiny, especially in light of the rising costs associated with PS Plus subscriptions globally. Unlike Microsofts Xbox Game Pass, which maintains a more stable library of titles for its users, the frequent rotation of games on PS Plus may lead to dissatisfaction among its subscribers.

As PlayStation Plus continues to evolve, gamers are left to wonder about the future of their beloved titles and the rationale behind Sony's ongoing decisions regarding its subscription service.