Microsoft has officially announced the removal of five titles from Game Pass in the first half of January 2024, including Grand Theft Auto V. This confirmation comes after previous reports of the removal. Rockstar's popular open-world game will be leaving the catalog on January 5. The game has been added and removed from the Game Pass library multiple times since its original arrival in 2020. Take-Two, the company that owns Rockstar and the GTA series, has expressed reservations about the subscription model but will continue to bring games to services like Game Pass on a case-by-case basis.
Four additional games will be departing Game Pass on January 15, including Garden Story, MotoGP 22, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable. However, fans of the Persona series can still enjoy Persona 5 Tactica on Game Pass, and can look forward to the arrival of Persona 3 Reload in February.
Microsoft usually removes games from Game Pass in two phases, so make sure to visit Our Website later this month to find out which games will be leaving. In terms of new additions to the Game Pass library for January 2024, Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Resident Evil 2 will be joining the catalog.
Game Pass removals for first half of January 2024
January 5
Grand Theft Auto V-- cloud, console
January 15
Garden Story -- cloud, console, PC
MotoGP 22 -- cloud, console, PC
Persona 4 Golden -- cloud, console, PC
Persona 3 Portable -- cloud, console, PC
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, I am disappointed to hear that GTA 5 will once again be leaving Game Pass. I have enjoyed countless hours exploring the vast and immersive world of Los Santos, completing missions, and causing chaos with friends. The game's removal from the service is a significant loss for Game Pass subscribers, and I hope that it will return in the future.
The departure of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable from Game Pass is also disheartening. These critically acclaimed JRPGs offer unique and engaging experiences, and their removal limits the accessibility of these titles for many players. While I understand the business decisions behind these removals, I can't help but feel a sense of loss as a fan of these games.
