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 lineup.

The legendary Diablo, a seminal hack-and-slash RPG released in late 1996, needs little introduction. Joining it is the recently released (October 2023) EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA Sports' popular MMA fighting game franchise. This pairing of titles, separated by nearly 27 years, highlights the diverse gaming experiences offered by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

While Microsoft aims for cross-platform availability, these additions are platform-specific. Diablo is PC-only, 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 UFC 5 via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Activision Blizzard Titles on Game Pass

With the inclusion of Diablo, 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 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

EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo conclude January 2025's Wave 1. Wave 2 announcements are anticipated soon, potentially on January 21st, aligning with Microsoft's typical Tuesday release reveals.

Further announcements are expected before the January 23rd 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. Prior to the Developer Direct, six games will leave Game Pass on January 15th, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.

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