Grand Theft Auto V and 4 Others Bid Adieu to Xbox Game Pass; Check Full List

On January 5, 2024, Xbox Game Pass bid farewell to one of its flagship titles, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5), along with four other games, marking the end of their stint in the gaming subscription service. Microsoft officially announced the departure of GTA 5, which had joined the Xbox Game Pass lineup on July 5, 2023. Its six-month tenure as an accessible title for subscribers concluded without the customary advance notice, surprising many subscribers with its unannounced removal.

Unlike the usual practice of providing warnings for Game Pass additions, the inclusion of GTA 5 took place without the customary advance notification. Rockstar titles, including GTA 5, consistently departed on dates different from the regular schedule, distinguishing them from the removal dates of other Game Pass offerings.

Dedicated subscribers who had been with the service for an extended period had anticipated the departure of GTA 5, as the game had been featured in the "Leaving Soon" section of the app a month before. Despite initial expectations that the game would be removed by the end of the year, GTA 5 remained available on the service beyond December 31.

Contrary to initial speculations of a potential departure on January 15, it was later clarified that GTA 5 left the service earlier, on January 5.

On the same day, four other games bid adieu to Xbox Game Pass, namely Garden Story, MotoGP 22, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 4 Golden. However, subscribers can look forward to a new addition on February 2, as Persona 3 Reload will be introduced to the Game Pass, serving as a day-one release. This addition aims to provide a fresh take on the classic game and help alleviate the impact of Persona 3 Portable leaving the lineup.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated GTA 6 trailer has made its debut, creating a buzz among fans eagerly awaiting the next installment of their favorite open-world gaming franchise. The GTA 6 trailer has quickly become a record-breaker, garnering over 90 million views in the first 24 hours since its release. Notably, it has now become the most viewed non-music video, surpassing the previous record set by YouTuber Mr. Beast. The immense popularity of the trailer indicates the continued excitement and anticipation surrounding the Grand Theft Auto series.