PlayStation Plus Loses 22 Games This May (And It Feels A Lot Like a Gamble)
If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you’re probably used to the highs and lows that come with the service. One month you’re celebrating a big hit being added to the library. And the next you’re mourning your favorite title getting pulled. As May 2025 approaches, PlayStation has confirmed that 22 games will be leaving the service, including massive titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Batman: Arkham Knight, and the much-loved Resistance: Fall of Man. It’s a shakeup that feels random and sudden.
The unpredictability that comes with using PlayStation Plus can be thrilling, and its element of unpredictability has a lot in common with the world of online gambling and raffles, where the idea of what comes next plays a major role in the excitement. Sites like realraffle.com spark that same thrill of the unknown, offering players a shot at unexpected prizes with every entry. Much like how gamers cross their fingers when a new PlayStation Plus lineup is announced, raffle players experience the same anticipation every time they buy a ticket, waiting to see if they’re the winner.
Sony’s decision to remove a batch of games this May has sparked a familiar cycle among PS Plus members: disappointment, acceptance, and then cautious hope that something new and better will replace what’s lost. Big titles like Payday 2: Crimewave Edition, Enter the Gungeon, and Ghostrunner disappearing from the service might feel like a gut-punch for players who were in the middle of a playthrough. Especially hard-hit are fans of Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2 — two PlayStation 3 classics that are only accessible through PS Plus Premium’s streaming feature. After May 20, those games will be almost impossible to revisit without digging out an old PS3.
It’s moments like this that highlight just how fluid the gaming landscape has become. Much like entering a raffle, subscribing to a gaming service comes with no guarantees. You might score an amazing game lineup one month, and the next, you’re wondering if your subscription is still worth it. Still, there’s a certain charm to it all. The constant rotation of titles keeps things fresh and unpredictable, giving players a reason to check back each month — and sometimes, you stumble upon a hidden gem you never would’ve played otherwise.
The link between gaming and random outcomes isn’t new. For years, video games have embraced mechanics that rely on chance, from loot boxes to randomized world events. The randomness keeps players engaged, never knowing exactly what reward or challenge lies around the corner. It’s no surprise that this mirrors the addictive thrill people find in online raffles or prize draws. Whether you’re spinning a wheel, opening a loot chest, or waiting for a raffle winner to be announced, it’s all about the suspense and the excitement of possibility.
The titles leaving PS Plus this time around offer a good reminder to dive into games while you can. The Sims 4: Island Living expansion, Journey to the Savage Planet, and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night are just a few of the titles set to disappear. Players who haven’t yet tried Walkabout Mini Golf or the haunting VR experience Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord might want to hurry before they’re gone for good.
Of course, there’s always a silver lining. Just as in gambling, where a loss often sets the stage for a future win, PlayStation Plus subscribers can look forward to the new titles that will inevitably be added after the May refresh. Sony tends to compensate for big losses with big additions, and while the company hasn’t announced the replacements yet, history suggests there’s a good chance something exciting is on the way. If anything, the entire model of PlayStation Plus; from the monthly game rotations to the unpredictable removals; plays into our love of chance, much like the thrill of raffles and online gambling.
