Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds 2 Games Released 27 Years Apart 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, a diverse pairing spanning nearly 27 years of gaming history.

Starting immediately, subscribers can jump into the action-packed world of EA Sports UFC 5, the latest installment in EA's popular MMA franchise, released October 2023. Alongside this modern title, the classic Diablo, the seminal hack-and-slash RPG from 1996, makes its debut on the service.

While Microsoft aims for broad platform availability, these titles present a slight divergence. Diablo is PC-exclusive, while EA Sports UFC 5 offers local play on Xbox Series X/S consoles. Alternatively, Xbox Cloud Gaming provides access to UFC 5 for those with sufficient internet speeds.

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 represents a steady influx of approximately one new Activision Blizzard game per month since Microsoft's acquisition. While many more titles remain to be added, the release pace is demonstrably 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 21, aligning with Microsoft's typical Tuesday release reveals.

Further announcements are expected before month's end, coinciding with the January 23 Xbox Developer Direct, showcasing 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 leave the service on January 15, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.

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