PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members will lose access to Grand Theft Auto 5 and its online component on November 17, as confirmed by Sony. This removal comes just two days before Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19.
Sony has been notifying subscribers of the impending departure, framing it as an opportunity to revisit Los Santos before the debut of Jason and Lucia's story in Vice City. "If you’re counting down the days until GTA 6 arrives on PS5 on November 19, why not take a trip to Los Santos in the meantime?" the message reportedly stated, followed by a prompt to preorder the upcoming title.
Grand Theft Auto 5, released in 2013, has achieved significant commercial success, selling over 230 million copies worldwide. For those who have yet to experience the game through their PlayStation Plus subscription, November 17 marks the deadline.
The removal and promotional push for Grand Theft Auto 6 highlight the anticipated impact of Rockstar's next installment. Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to be the most expensive video game ever produced. Developers at Rockstar undertook research trips across Florida to ensure an authentic portrayal of the state in the game's satirical recreation of Miami and surrounding areas. Recent media coverage, including a segment by CBS News, has expressed astonishment at the game's accuracy in capturing the city's essence.
The marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been extensive, with Rockstar taking over significant aspects of Miami's visual landscape. This includes collaborations with the Miami Heat basketball team and promotions utilizing the Goodyear blimp. Despite some local officials expressing concern over the studio's influence, the game's launch is proceeding on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.