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. Released a remarkable 27 years apart, these diverse titles showcase the breadth of the service.
Starting today, January 14th, subscribers can dive into the action. Diablo, the seminal hack-and-slash RPG that defined a genre, needs no introduction. On the other hand, EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's popular MMA franchise, launched in October 2023.
While Microsoft aims for cross-platform availability, these titles offer unique platform experiences. Diablo is PC-exclusive, while EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S for local play. However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with sufficient internet speeds can stream UFC 5 via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Activision Blizzard Games on Xbox Game Pass: A Growing Catalog
With the addition of Diablo, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (considering Spyro and Crash trilogies as three games each). This represents a steady influx of approximately one new Activision Blizzard title per month since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, indicating an accelerating release pace.
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: Starward Vector | 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 January 2025's Wave 1. Wave 2 announcements are anticipated soon, potentially on January 21st, aligning with Microsoft's usual Tuesday release reveals.
Further announcements are expected before the month's end, given the January 23rd Xbox Developer Direct. This event will showcase Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages, all confirmed as day-one Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles slated for 2025 release. Before the Direct, six games will depart the service on January 15th, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.
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