Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Drops Two Games With a 27-Year Age Gap

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, a diverse pairing released 27 years apart.

Starting today, January 14th, subscribers can jump into the action. Diablo, the seminal hack-and-slash RPG that redefined the genre in 1996, joins the modern mixed martial arts experience of EA Sports UFC 5, released in October 2023.

While Microsoft prioritizes cross-platform availability, these titles offer platform-specific experiences. Diablo is PC-exclusive, while EA Sports UFC 5 requires an Xbox Series X/S for local play. However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with sufficient internet speed can stream UFC 5 via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Activision Blizzard Titles on Game Pass

With the addition of Diablo, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now boasts 13 Activision Blizzard titles (considering 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 clearly accelerating.

Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games

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

Further announcements are expected before month's end, preceding the January 23rd Xbox Developer Direct. This event will showcase Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages, all confirmed as day-one Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles launching in 2025. Note that six games will be removed from the service on January 15th, including Insurgency: Sandstorm and Those Who Remain.

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