Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Welcomes EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers gain access to two highly anticipated titles today: EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo. These additions mark the culmination of Wave 1 for January 2025's Game Pass lineup. Spanning nearly 27 years of gaming history, these diverse titles offer something for every gamer.
Starting today, subscribers can dive into the action-packed world of EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's popular mixed martial arts franchise, released in October 2023. For those craving classic RPG gameplay, the original Diablo, a seminal title that defined the hack-and-slash genre upon its 1996 release, is now available.
While Microsoft aims for cross-platform availability, these titles present a slight variation. Diablo is PC-exclusive, while EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S console for local play. However, Xbox Cloud Gaming provides an alternative for UFC 5, enabling streaming access for those with sufficient internet speeds.
Activision Blizzard Titles on Game Pass
With the addition of Diablo, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (including Spyro and Crash Bandicoot trilogies counted as three games each). This represents a steady influx of approximately one new Activision Blizzard game per month since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, indicating a growing momentum in adding more titles from this extensive catalog.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Additions
The following table details upcoming additions to Xbox Game Pass:
| Game | Date Added | Game Pass Tier(s) | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA Sports UFC 5 | Jan 14 | Ultimate | Cloud, Series X/S | |
| Diablo | Jan 14 | Ultimate, PC | PC | |
| Eternal Strands | Jan 28 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, PC, Series X/S | Day-one release. |
| Sniper Elite: Resistance | Jan 30 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release. |
| Citizen Sleeper 2 | Jan 31 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, PC, Series X/S | Day-one release. |
| Avowed | Feb 18 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, PC, Series X/S | Day-one release. |
| Atomfall | Mar 27 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release. |
| Football Manager 25 | Mar ?? | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release; exact date TBA. |
| Commandos: Origins | Mar ?? | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release; exact date TBA. |
EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo conclude Wave 1 of January 2025's additions. Wave 2 is anticipated soon, potentially around January 21st, aligning with Microsoft's usual Tuesday announcements.
Further announcements are expected before month's end, given the January 23rd Xbox Developer Direct, which will feature Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages—all confirmed day-one Game Pass Ultimate titles slated for 2025. Note that six games will be removed from the service on January 15th, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.
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