GTA 5 continues a frustrating cycle with latest Xbox Game Pass exit

Although it’s not uncommon for games to come and go on each of the major gaming subscription services, no single game has done it as frequently as GTA 5. The frequency of its addition and removal from the service speaks to just how malleable the catalogs of Xbox Game Pass and PS Extra are.

While Xbox and PlayStation have more control over the availability of their respective first-party games on their subscription services, they can’t guarantee the same consistency for third-party games. In the case of a game as successful as GTA 5, Rockstar Games also has more leverage. Microsoft and Sony want the game to be on their services more than Rockstar Games needs GTA 5 on Game Pass or PS Plus Extra.

Ultimately, the inconsistency with which GTA 5 is on these subscription services makes it tough to recommend the game while it is part of those catalogs. You’re better off buying GTA 5 outright if you want to play it rather than relying on its availability via subscription. The same goes for other titles from Rockstar Games that come to Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus Extra, like Red Dead Redemption 2.