Mass Exodus: GTA 5 and 21 Other Games Vanishing from PS Plus This May!

Prepare for a significant shake-up in your PlayStation Plus library! Just as players settle in, a whopping 22 games are slated to depart from the service on May 20, leaving many gamers scratching their heads. The departures span across PS5, PS4, and even PS3 titles available through PS Plus Premium, leaving a void that some subscribers are finding hard to ignore, especially in light of recent price increases.

The headliner of this mass clearout is undoubtedly Grand Theft Auto V. Rockstar Games' titan, which has sold over 210 million copies, is leaving the PS Plus library after only six months. While the impending arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI may be a factor, the short tenure has left some wondering what the long-term strategy is for these popular titles on subscription services.

But GTA V isn't alone. A diverse range of games are also heading for the exit, including:

• MotoGP 24
• The Sims 4: Island Living
• 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

What's particularly perplexing is the removal of several Sony-owned titles, especially those previously exclusive to the service. inFAMOUS: Second Son, a beloved title from Sucker Punch Productions, is on the chopping block. Even more confusing are the departures of Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2, PS3 classics that only became available via cloud streaming on the Premium tier in November. Are these removals hinting at potential remasters or a remastered collection? Only time will tell.

This isn't the first time Sony has culled first-party games from PS Plus. Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West were removed last year. This contrasts sharply with Microsoft's approach to Xbox Game Pass, where a larger catalog of first-party titles remains accessible for extended periods. With PS Plus becoming increasingly expensive, the frequent removal of games is raising questions about its value proposition for consumers.

Adding to the sting, a significant number of PSVR2 titles are also departing from the Premium tier, including Walkabout Mini Golf, Synth Riders, and several entries in The Walking Dead franchise. This leaves PSVR2 owners with fewer options within the subscription service, potentially impacting perceived value.

The abrupt removal of so many games from PS Plus this May has sparked widespread discussion and confusion. While some departures are expected, the loss of key titles and Sony-owned properties has left many wondering about the future direction of the service. Is this a strategic move by Sony, or simply a consequence of licensing agreements and content rotation?

What do you think about this significant exodus of games from PS Plus? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!

• GTA V
• PlayStation Plus
• Sony