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, a diverse pairing spanning nearly 27 years of gaming history.
Starting today, January 14th, subscribers can jump into the action. Diablo, the seminal hack-and-slash RPG that redefined the genre upon its 1996 release, makes its debut. Joining it is EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in the popular MMA fighting franchise, launched just last October.
While Microsoft prioritizes cross-platform availability, these titles offer varied access: 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 Titles on Game Pass
With the addition of Diablo, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (considering trilogies as multiple games). This represents a strong average of nearly one new Activision Blizzard title per month since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, indicating an accelerating influx of 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: 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 announcements.
Further announcements are expected before the January 23rd Xbox Developer Direct, which will showcase Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages—all confirmed as day-one Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles 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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