New Game Surprise in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Update

Overview of EA Sports College Football 25 Addition

  • EA Sports College Football 25 has unexpectedly joined the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate lineup.
  • This marks the ninth new title introduced to the Game Pass library in March 2025.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate recently made a surprise addition with the inclusion of EA Sports College Football 25. This unexpected update brings the total number of new titles added in March 2025 to an impressive nine.

In Microsoft’s previous announcements regarding Xbox Game Pass for March, they indicated that the second wave of offerings would consist of six titles, including the latest open-world RPG, Atomfall, which was released early on March 27.

However, shortly after the launch of Atomfall to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, EA Sports College Football 25 was also revealed, catching many by surprise. This football simulation game is currently available only on next-generation consoles, meaning players will need an Xbox Series X or S to enjoy it locally. Fortunately, for those without the latest hardware, the game is also compatible with Xbox Cloud Gaming, enabling play across PC, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

Upcoming Titles for Xbox Game Pass

Descenders Next
Blue
South of Midnight
Commandos: Origins
EA Sports College Football 25
Atomfall
Game Game Pass Tier(s) Platform(s) Notes Date
Atomfall Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release. Mar 27
EA Sports College Football 25 Ultimate Cloud, Series X/S Surprise release. Mar 27
South of Midnight Ultimate, PC PC, Series X/S Day-one release. Apr 8
Commandos: Origins Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release. Apr 9
Descenders Next Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release. Apr 9
Blue Prince Ultimate, PC, Standard Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release. Apr 10
Tempopo Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release. Apr 17
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Ultimate, PC PC, Series X/S Day-one release. Apr 24
Revenge of the Savage Planet Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release. May 8
DOOM: The Dark Ages Ultimate, PC PC, Series X/S Day-one release. May 15
To A T Ultimate, PC PC, Series X/S Day-one release. May 28
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Ultimate, PC Console, PC Day-one release. Jul 11

The introduction of EA Sports College Football 25 as a surprise release appears to be part of EA’s strategy to generate excitement ahead of the anticipated release of EA Sports College Football 26, which is currently scheduled for summer 2025. While most titles on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate generally remain available for a year, those from the EA Play catalog often have a shorter lifespan. Therefore, it remains uncertain how long subscribers will have access to this popular football title.

The 2024 edition of the game effectively revived EA’s football series, which had been on hiatus for a decade. The revival proved immensely popular, drawing in 2.2 million early access players who opted for the $100 Deluxe Edition to get a head start. Additionally, another 600,000 players joined at the official launch, bringing the total to an impressive 2.8 million early adopters. Critical reception has also been favorable, with the game earning a “Strong”rating on OpenCritic, based on an average score of 81 and an 84% recommendation rate.

Challenges Ahead for Xbox Game Pass in March 2025

Despite the addition of these new titles, the overall lineup for March 2025 presents a mixed picture. The service has already removed eight games as of March 15, with another ten slated for departure by the end of the month. As a result, March 2025 is on track to be the second consecutive month marking a net loss in the Xbox Game Pass library.

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