Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Welcomes EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers gain access to two highly anticipated titles: EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo, both launching today. These additions mark the culmination of Wave 1 for January 2025's Game Pass releases.
The legendary Diablo, a seminal hack-and-slash RPG, joins the roster alongside the recently released EA Sports UFC 5 (October 2023), the latest installment in EA's popular MMA franchise. Despite their 27-year release gap, both games are now available to Ultimate members.
Interestingly, these titles deviate from the usual multi-platform trend. Diablo is PC-exclusive, while EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S for local play. However, Xbox Cloud Gaming provides an alternative for Ultimate subscribers with sufficient internet speed.
Activision Blizzard Games on Xbox Game Pass
With the inclusion of Diablo, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (considering Spyro and Crash trilogies as three games each). This signifies a steady addition rate of almost one Activision Blizzard game per month since Microsoft's acquisition. While many more Activision Blizzard titles are expected, the influx is clearly accelerating.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Additions
| 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 21, aligning with Microsoft's typical Tuesday release reveals.
Further announcements are likely before the January 23 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 slated for 2025. Note that six games will be removed from the service on January 15, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.
$42 at Amazon $17 at Xbox
