Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Expands with Two Games, 27 Years Apart

Summary

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is adding EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo today.
• Released 27 years apart, these two titles conclude the XGP Wave 1 lineup for January 2025.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can dive into the exciting worlds of EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo starting today, both now available as part of their subscription. These additions mark the third and fourth titles to join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in January 2025.

The iconic Diablo, released in 1996, needs no introduction as it pioneered the hack-and-slash RPG genre. On the other hand, EA Sports UFC 5, launched in October 2023, represents the latest in EA Sports' esteemed series of mixed martial arts games.

Despite being released nearly 27 years apart, these games are now united under Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, available from today, January 14. While Microsoft typically focuses on multi-platform games, these new additions break the mold. Diablo is exclusively available on PC, while EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S for local play. However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers with robust internet can stream UFC 5 through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Xbox Game Pass Now Offers Over a Dozen Activision Blizzard Titles

With the addition of Diablo, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts a total of 13 Activision Blizzard titles, including the Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, each counted as three games. This reflects a steady integration of Activision Blizzard's catalog into Xbox Game Pass since Microsoft's acquisition in late 2023, averaging nearly one new title per month. More games from the Activision Blizzard lineup are expected to join the service soon.

Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games

EA Sports UFC 5 and Diablo mark the conclusion of the first wave of January 2025 additions to Xbox Game Pass. The second wave of January releases is expected to be announced soon, potentially on January 21, following Microsoft's pattern of Tuesday announcements.

Further announcements on upcoming Xbox Game Pass titles could be made before month's end, with an Xbox Developer Direct event scheduled for January 23. Microsoft has confirmed that the event will feature Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages, all slated for day-one Xbox Game Pass Ultimate releases in 2025. Before the next Xbox Developer Direct, Xbox Game Pass will see the departure of six games on January 15, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.

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