Xbox Game Pass Gem Adds Classic and Modern Hit Today
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 releases.
Available immediately, these games represent a diverse gaming experience. Diablo, a seminal hack-and-slash RPG released in 1996, needs no introduction. Its inclusion alongside EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's popular MMA fighting franchise (released October 2023), showcases the breadth of Game Pass's offerings. The nearly 27-year gap between their releases highlights the service's commitment to both classic and contemporary titles.
While Microsoft prioritizes cross-platform availability, these titles deviate slightly. 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.
Xbox Game Pass's Expanding Activision Blizzard Collection
With Diablo's addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (considering Spyro and Crash trilogies as three games each). This averages almost one new Activision Blizzard game per month since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, indicating an accelerating influx of titles from this extensive catalog.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Additions
Here's a sneak peek at the upcoming additions to the Xbox Game Pass lineup:
| 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 usual Tuesday release reveals.
Further announcements are expected before month's end, coinciding with the January 23 Xbox Developer Direct, featuring 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 depart the service on January 15, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.
$42 at Amazon $17 at Xbox
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