Sony Interactive Entertainment is set to remove 22 games from its PlayStation Plus library on May 20, 2025, including popular titles like Grand Theft auto 5 and Payday 2: Crimewave edition. Though,the removal of two first-party titles,Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2,is generating particular concern among gamers and game preservation advocates.

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service offering PlayStation users free monthly games, exclusive discounts, online multiplayer access, and a catalog of downloadable titles for Extra and Premium members.

As noted by gaming news site Push Square,the removal of Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2 is especially noteworthy because these PlayStation 3 titles are no longer available for purchase on the PlayStation Store. This means that after May 20, the only way to play them legally on modern consoles will be through the PS Plus Premium streaming service – and that option will disappear as well.

The ‘Resistance’ Series: A Look Back

The Resistance franchise, developed by Insomniac Games, is a series of alternate history first-person shooters that gained popularity on the PlayStation 3. Following their success with the Ratchet and Clank series, insomniac created Resistance: Fall of Man, followed by two sequels on the PS3 before shifting focus to other projects like Marvel’s Spider-Man and new Ratchet and Clank entries. The series imagines a 1950s europe ravaged by a mysterious alien force known as the Chimera.

While the removal of first-party games from PlayStation Plus isn’t unprecedented, it remains a point of contention for subscribers. In August 2024, both Horizon Zero dawn and Horizon Forbidden West were removed from the service. however, those games remained available for purchase, offering players an alternative to maintain access.

The disappearance of Resistance: fall of Man and Resistance 2 raises alarms about game preservation, a growing concern in the industry as digital distribution becomes increasingly dominant. Once these games are removed from PlayStation Plus, they effectively become inaccessible to modern console owners without resorting to older hardware or possibly infringing on copyright laws.

Selective Preservation: What Stays, What goes?

Interestingly, Resistance 3 and Resistance: Retribution will remain available on PlayStation Plus. additionally, the PlayStation 4 title infamous: Second son, another first-party title, is also slated to leave the service on May 20, 2025.

The reason for selectively removing certain titles while retaining others remains unclear. Sony has not issued an official statement explaining the decision-making process, leaving fans to speculate on factors such as licensing agreements, server costs, and internal strategic priorities.

‘Resistance 4’ Never materialized

The Resistance series has been dormant for years. In February 2025, Insomniac founder Ted Price revealed that “there was a real push to get Resistance 4 made,” but the project “never received the green light.” Like Guerrilla Games’ Killzone series, Resistance has seemingly been sidelined in favor of other intellectual properties.

The lack of new installments, coupled with the removal of older titles, further diminishes the accessibility of the Resistance universe for new players.

The Broader Implications for Game Preservation

The removal of these games highlights a growing problem: the ephemeral nature of digital game ownership.unlike physical copies, digital games are subject to the whims of platform holders and publishers. Games can be delisted for various reasons, including expired licenses, changing business strategies, or technical issues.

The Entertainment software Association (ESA), the lobbying group for the video game industry, has acknowledged the importance of game preservation but has not yet proposed any industry-wide standards or solutions.Individual companies like Microsoft have taken steps to ensure backward compatibility, allowing players to access older games on newer consoles, but such initiatives remain inconsistent across the industry.

Critics argue that the industry needs a more comprehensive approach to game preservation, including digital libraries, open-source emulation, and legal frameworks that allow archivists to preserve and share classic games. The Library of Congress has recognized video games as a form of cultural heritage, but further action is needed to ensure their long-term survival.

FAQ: PlayStation Plus Game Removals

Why are games removed from PlayStation Plus?

Games are typically removed due to licensing agreements, publisher decisions, or to make room for new content within the service.

What happens if I downloaded a game that’s being removed?

You can play the game until the removal date. After that, you’ll need to purchase it separately if you wont to continue playing.

Will I get a refund for games removed from PlayStation Plus?

No, PlayStation Plus is a subscription service, and the removal of games is part of the service terms.You are paying for access to a library of games that changes over time, not for permanent ownership of individual titles.

How can I find out which games are leaving PlayStation Plus?

Sony typically announces the games leaving the service a few weeks in advance on the playstation Blog and through social media channels.

What can I do to support game preservation?

Support organizations dedicated to game preservation,such as The strong National Museum of Play. Advocate for policies that promote access to classic games.