Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Welcomes EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can now play EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo, marking the conclusion of Wave 1 additions for January 2025. These two titles, released a remarkable 27 years apart, represent a diverse addition to the service.
Diablo, a seminal hack-and-slash RPG, needs little introduction. Its 1996 release redefined the genre. In contrast, EA Sports UFC 5, the latest iteration in the popular MMA fighting game franchise, launched in October 2023.
While Microsoft aims for cross-platform availability, these additions are platform-specific: Diablo is PC-only, and EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S for local play. However, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows Ultimate subscribers with sufficient internet speeds to stream UFC 5.
Activision Blizzard Titles on Xbox Game Pass
With Diablo's arrival, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (counting Spyro and Crash trilogies as three games each). This reflects a steady addition rate of nearly one new title per month since Microsoft's acquisition. While many more Activision Blizzard games are anticipated, the release cadence is clearly accelerating.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games
| 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 complete January 2025's Wave 1. Wave 2 announcements are expected soon, potentially on January 21, aligning with Microsoft's usual 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 day-one Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles slated for 2025. Before the Direct, six games will leave the service on January 15, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.
$42 at Amazon $17 at Xbox
