PlayStation Plus Faces Significant Game Removals in November
Major Titles Departing from PS Plus Library
In October, PlayStation Plus introduced new games to its lineup, such as Dead Island 2 and Gris. However, a significant shift is on the horizon for November as several high-profile games will be removed from the service. This change comes after PS Plus was revamped in 2022, partly to compete with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass. The service offers subscribers a diverse selection of games to download and play without additional cost, with monthly rotations that bring new titles and retire others.
According to a report by IGN, notable titles leaving PS Plus in November include Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and four entries from the Kingdom Hearts series, including Kingdom Hearts 3. Here’s the full list of the 21 games set to leave the service:
– Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
– Red Dead Redemption 2
– The Sims 4 City Living
– Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
– Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS. Maxiboost ON
– Superliminal
– Eiyuden Chronicles: Rising
– Klonoa Fantasy Reverie Series
– Teardown
– Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix
– Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
– Kingdom Hearts 3
– Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory
– Chorus
– What Remains of Edith Finch
– Overcooked 2
– Blasphemous
– Moving Out
Implications of Game Removals for Subscribers
Declining Value of PS Plus Subscription
While PS Plus and similar subscription services routinely update their game libraries, the newly announced October additions lack the prestige of the major titles leaving in November. With possibly the most notable inclusion being the moderately popular Dead Island 2, the departure of games like RDR2, GTA: San Andreas, and Kingdom Hearts could diminish the perceived value of a PS Plus subscription.
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Given the monthly rotation of games, there is a possibility for titles to return after being removed, as seen with RDR2 previously. However, because PS Plus changes are not announced far in advance, subscribers cannot depend on this potential. Consequently, the removal of several major games might lead to a significant drop in subscriptions in November.
Broader Implications for Subscription Services
Potential Trends in Gaming Subscription Models
The removal of major titles might signal a one-time occurrence for PS Plus, or it could indicate a broader trend affecting subscription gaming services. Initially popular, services like PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass have experienced stagnating growth recently, with fewer major titles being added shortly after release, as evidenced by Dead Island 2. If this pattern continues, these services might risk losing their relevance and potentially face retirement.
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While PS Plus and similar services are unlikely to face imminent closure, the loss of major games without the addition of equally popular titles is concerning. Whether this is a temporary setback for PS Plus remains to be seen, but the departure of games like RDR2 and Kingdom Hearts is undeniably troubling for subscribers.
Source: IGN
PlayStation Plus
PlayStation Plus is a subscription service from Sony that gives players access to additional PlayStation features for subscribers, such as full online game access, free games, and exclusive discounts. The program was initially released in 2010 with the PlayStation 3 and since has grown to be a larger platform for the brand, allowing Sony to extend the service to include game streaming via console or apps from different providers.
