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, launching today. These additions mark the culmination of Wave 1 for January 2025's Game Pass additions.
The legendary Diablo, a seminal hack-and-slash RPG released in late 1996, joins the roster alongside EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's popular MMA fighting game franchise, released in October 2023. This pairing showcases a remarkable 27-year span between releases, highlighting the diverse gaming experiences offered by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
While Microsoft prioritizes cross-platform titles, these additions 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 EA Sports UFC 5 via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Expanding Activision Blizzard Presence 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 represents a consistent addition rate of nearly one Activision Blizzard game per month since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, indicating a growing influx of titles from this extensive catalog.
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 announcements.
Further announcements are expected 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. 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
