In a surprising move, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is gearing up to bid adieu to the immensely popular Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) just six months after its addition to the subscription service.

The game currently finds itself in the "leaving soon" section alongside several other titles, leaving avid gamers with a limited window to enjoy the open-world crime epic.

Gamers urged to act before Jan 15

While Xbox Game Pass itself does not provide a specific departure date for GTA 5, the Game Pass Tracker has unveiled that the game is scheduled to vanish from the service on January 15.

Both Xbox One and Xbox Series versions of the game are currently featured in the "leaving soon" section, prompting users to act swiftly if they wish to continue playing by purchasing it for £17.49.

Other titles joining GTA 5's exit

Joining GTA 5 on the departure list are several other titles, including Persona 4 Golden, Persona 3 Portable, Moto GP 22, and Garden Story. Gamers invested in these titles are advised to make the most of the remaining time before they too bid farewell to the Game Pass library on January 15.

Industry insiders speculate that GTA 5 publisher Take-Two Interactive might consider bringing the game back to Xbox Game Pass in the future. With the subscription service acting as a powerful platform to expand a game's player base, the potential resurgence of GTA 5 on Game Pass could align strategically with the impending release of GTA 6 in 2025.

PlayStation plus offers sanctuary for GTA 5 players on PS5

For gamers on the PlayStation front, there's a silver lining, as GTA 5 has found a temporary home on PS Plus.

However, the news comes with a caveat, as the inclusion of the crime epic on PS Plus may not be permanent, leaving PlayStation players with uncertainty regarding the future availability of the game on the subscription service.