Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Welcomes EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers gain access to two diverse titles today: EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo. These additions mark the culmination of Wave 1 for January 2025's Game Pass releases, a noteworthy pairing considering their 27-year release gap.
Starting today, subscribers can jump into the action of EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's popular MMA fighting franchise (released October 2023), and the genre-defining Diablo (originally released in late 1996).
While Microsoft aims for cross-platform availability, these titles present a slight exception. Diablo is PC-exclusive, and EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S for local play. However, Xbox Cloud Gaming provides an alternative for UFC 5, allowing access via streaming for those with sufficient internet speeds.
Activision Blizzard Titles on Game Pass
With Diablo's addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (including the Spyro and Crash Bandicoot trilogies as three games each). This represents a steady influx of approximately one new Activision Blizzard title per month since Microsoft's acquisition. While many more Activision Blizzard games are anticipated, the release rate 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 expected soon, potentially on January 21, aligning with Microsoft's typical Tuesday release reveals.
Further announcements are anticipated before the January 23 Xbox Developer Direct, which will feature 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. 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
