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, they represent a diverse range of gaming experiences.
Diablo, a seminal hack-and-slash RPG, needs little introduction. Its 1996 release redefined the genre. In contrast, EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's MMA franchise, launched in October 2023.
Both titles are now available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (January 14th). While Microsoft prioritizes cross-platform availability, these releases are exceptions. 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.
Xbox Game Pass: A Growing Activision Blizzard Collection
With Diablo's addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (counting Spyro and Crash trilogies as three games each). This averages nearly one new Activision Blizzard game per month since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, indicating an accelerating influx of titles from the vast Activision Blizzard catalog.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Titles
| 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 typical Tuesday release reveals.
Further announcements are expected before month's end, coinciding with 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. Note that six games will be removed from the service on January 15th, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.
$42 at Amazon $17 at Xbox
