PODCAST · leisure
The Expansion Pass
by The Expansion Pass
Welcome to The Expansion Pass (XP) — your place for clear, thoughtful discussions on gaming without the console-war noise.Hosted by Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun, XP covers the biggest stories in gaming across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and Game Pass through weekly news analysis, in-depth reviews, and long-form developer interviews.Formerly Xbox Expansion Pass, the show has evolved into a multiplatform gaming podcast while staying rooted in the strategy, ecosystem, and conversations that built it.With 150+ interviews featuring developers, journalists, and studio leads — from AAA to indie — XP offers a grounded perspective on how games are made, why decisions happen, and where the industry is headed. Guests include creators from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Respawn, id Software, Ninja Theory, Blizzard, Asobo, Remedy, and more.
Episodes
-
GTA 6 PC Rumors, Xbox Labs & The Future of Xbox Exclusives
The Expansion Pass crosses over with The Nerd Chat for a late-night discussion covering GTA 6, Xbox’s evolving strategy, new hardware, and what everyone has been playing. The crew digs into reports that GTA 6 could arrive on PC in Q1 2027, whether Rockstar still benefits from delaying its PC...
-
INTERVIEW: Dead by Daylight’s 2027 Overhaul, Terrifier & the Future of DBD with Mathieu Côté
Mathieu Côté of Behaviour Interactive returns for his third conversation with The Expansion Pass to discuss the future of Dead by Daylight. Mathieu shares new details on the 2027 overhaul, including how long it has been in active development, how Behaviour is balancing the current live game…
more -
INTERVIEW: Gears of War: E-Day — The Coalition on Horror, Horde Siege & More Gears
The Coalition joins The Expansion Pass for a launch-day conversation about Gears of War: E-Day. Nicole Fawcette, Aryan Hanbeck, and Matt Searcy discuss making the Locust frightening again, building and destroying Kalona, and developing Marcus and Dom before they became the iconic brothers fans...
-
Gears of War: E-Day Reviews, Xbox Sale Rumors & PlayStation’s Collector’s Edition Shift
Gears of War: E-Day takes center stage as Captain Logun is joined by Jesse Norris from Day One and Joseph Moran from The Trophy Room: A PlayStation Podcast. Jesse breaks down his review of E-Day, including the campaign, multiplayer, Horde Siege, visuals, and why The Coalition’s latest is landing…
more -
Shawn Layden on PlayStation’s Future, Physical Games, Xbox & the Changing Industry
Former Chairman of PlayStation Studios and former CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America Shawn Layden joins The Expansion Pass for an extensive conversation about PlayStation, Xbox, and a games industry undergoing major change. Layden discusses the strategic bets platform holders make, the...
-
Halo Moves to Activision as Xbox Restructures Again
Halo is moving to Activision as Microsoft reshapes Xbox Game Studios. Luke and Captain Logun examine what the restructuring means for Halo, Ninja Theory, Obsidian and Bethesda, Rare, Turn 10 and Playground Games—and whether putting Xbox’s biggest franchises under fewer publishing organizations…
more -
Xbox Goes All In, StarCraft Returns & Wolverine Sells Big
Xbox had a huge week. We break down its Tokyo Game Show push, Hideo Kojima’s latest Xbox appearance, and what the growing Japanese and Asian partnership strategy means for the platform. Then BlizzCon delivers some enormous announcements: StarCraft is finally returning, Diablo V is already on the...
-
PlayStation Drops Kojima, Xbox Gets PHYSINT
PlayStation walked away from Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT — and Xbox stepped in. Luke and Logun break down what the surprising publishing deal means for Kojima Productions, Xbox, and a PlayStation brand facing growing questions about its first-party direction. Marvel’s Wolverine reviews are also in.…
more -
Xbox Cloud Gaming Gets Worse + Sony’s State of Play Was Awful
Xbox Cloud Gaming is getting worse at the exact moment Microsoft wants xCloud on more devices. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers are being capped at just 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, with even tighter limits for Premium and Essential — and we have some serious questions about what that says...
-
GTA VI Gameplay Is Massive, Xbox Project Helix Takes Shape
Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay reveal shows the enormous scale of Leonida, including reports of an 80-hour playthrough and a map roughly three times the playable size of Red Dead Redemption 2. We also debate GTA VI's potential 30 FPS target and whether Rockstar gets more leeway than…
more -
GTA 6 Hacked Again & Xbox Is Changing Everything
GTA 6 has been hacked again—and this time Take-Two is going after the source. Microsoft and Discord have been pulled into the investigation as Rockstar faces yet another major leak surrounding gaming's most anticipated release. Meanwhile, Xbox is changing how it does business. Microsoft has…
more -
Gears E-Day Is Exploding — Can Xbox Finally Have Its Win?
The E-Day beta is drawing impressive numbers, including an estimated 1.2 million Xbox players, while Steam engagement has already surpassed recent Gears releases. Luke and Captain Logun break down what the early response means for Gears, whether Siege could broaden the franchise's audience, and…
more -
Xbox Backward Compatibility, Gears E-Day & Ghost Recon | XP 332
Xbox is making major changes to backward compatibility, Achievements, game preservation, and the overall Xbox experience — while Gears of War: E-Day may be shaping up to be something special. This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Xbox’s expanding backward...
-
Is Gears of War: E-Day a Winner? Xbox's Strategy Shift & PlayStation's Digital Gamble | XP 331
One of the biggest Xbox releases of the year is almost here, and Jampack Sam joins us after going hands-on with Gears of War: E-Day. We break down everything he learned from the multiplayer preview, including Horde Siege, weapon customization, PvP, classes, progression, and whether The Coalition...
-
Andrew Hulshult Interview | DOOM, Iron Lung, DUSK & The Dark Ages Story
Andrew Hulshult has become one of the defining composers of modern FPS games, with credits including DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods, DOOM + DOOM II, DUSK, Prodeus, Heretic + Hexen, Quake Champions, and more. In this exclusive interview, Andrew joins The Expansion Pass to discuss his journey from...
-
God of War Gets a Release Date, Halo Campaign Evolved Reviews & Steam Machine | XP 330
God of War: Laufey officially launches in February 2027, Halo Campaign Evolved and Splatoon Raiders earn strong critical reviews, and this week we're joined by Jefftroidvania to discuss Valve's new Steam Machine and the future of SteamOS. On Episode 330 of The Expansion Pass, we break down one of...
-
Is Bethesda Finally Getting It Right? Fallout 5, Switch 2 & Gaming's Next Generation | XP 329
Bethesda finally pulled back the curtain on what's next. This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Todd Howard's biggest interview in years, including new details on Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls VI, Starfield, and Obsidian's return to the Fallout universe. They…
more -
Xbox's New Strategy, PlayStation's Physical Future & Black Flag | XP 328
Xbox is finally revealing what comes after its historic restructuring. Luke and Logan break down Bloomberg's report that Obsidian is shifting toward Fallout, what that means for Xbox's renewed focus on pillar franchises, and whether Asha Sharma's strategy gives Xbox its clearest direction in…
more -
PlayStation Ends Physical Games, Xbox's Future & Nintendo's Moves | XP 327
One announcement dominated the gaming industry this week: PlayStation is ending physical game releases beginning in 2028. Is this the inevitable future of gaming, or should players be worried about ownership, preservation, pricing, and consumer rights? Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down…
more -
Xbox Price Hikes, GTA 6 at $80 & Switch 2 Momentum | XP 326
This week on The Expansion Pass, we're tackling one of the biggest questions facing the gaming industry: is gaming becoming too expensive? Microsoft has announced significant Xbox console price increases, Grand Theft Auto VI is launching at $80, and Nintendo's Switch 2 continues to post…
more -
Xbox Studio Closures, Bungie Trouble & Summer Game Fest Favorites | XP 326
Xbox appears headed toward a major strategic shift, and we're breaking down what it could mean for Game Pass, first-party studios, and the future of the platform. Captain Logan is joined by Mr. Bad Bit of The Trophy Room and Daddy Dwally of The Nerd Chat to discuss reports surrounding Xbox studio...
-
Xbox Future Debate, Summer Game Fest Winners & Nintendo Direct Reactions | XP 325
Summer Game Fest 2026 is in the books, and we're breaking down everything we saw in Los Angeles. This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke and Logan discuss the biggest announcements from Summer Game Fest, Xbox Showcase, PlayStation State of Play, and Nintendo Direct. From Resident Evil Veronica and...
-
Xbox Showcase 2026 Reactions: Gears of War E-Day, Halo, Fable & Spyro
The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 has come and gone, and we were there in person to see it unfold. This week, Luke and Captain Logun break down Xbox's biggest announcements, including Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Fable, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, State of Decay 3, Clockwork Revolution,...
-
Fable Delay, Modern Warfare 4 & Steam Deck Price Increase | XP 323
Fable has reportedly been delayed into 2027, Modern Warfare 4 has been officially revealed, and Valve has dramatically increased Steam Deck OLED pricing. On this week's episode of The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and Freight Conductor break down what Fable's delay means for Xbox's...
-
Xbox Exclusives Return? PlayStation Pulls Back From PC + Forza Horizon 6 Explodes | XP 322
Are exclusives suddenly important again? This week on XP, Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Xbox fans demanding exclusives through the new Player Voice forums while PlayStation reportedly pulls back from PC releases entirely for major first-party titles. We also discuss: Forza Horizon 6...
-
Xbox Elite Controller 3 Leaks, Star Fox Returns, Forza Horizon 6 Reviews | XP 321
Xbox may be preparing its next major hardware push. This week, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and Nintendo World Report’s John Rairdin discuss the leaked Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, Xbox cloud gaming controller rumors, and what Microsoft’s future hardware strategy may actually look like. We also...
-
Nintendo Raises Switch 2 to $500, Star Fox Returns, Sony’s Bungie Problems | XP 320
Nintendo has officially raised the Switch 2 price to $500 — and at nearly the same time, brought Star Fox back to center stage. This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and special guest Joseph Moran (Mr. BadBit from The Trophy Room: A PlayStation Podcast) break down Nintendo’s...
-
Xbox Earnings Drop, PlayStation DRM Explained, Steam Controller Returns | XP 319
Xbox earnings are down as Asha Sharma begins resetting the brand, raising questions about hardware, Game Pass growth, and long-term strategy. We break down the latest Xbox revenue numbers, what they mean for the future of the platform, and whether exclusives need to return to strengthen the…
more -
Xbox Admits It’s Broken, Game Pass Drops Price, Valve Returns to Hardware | XEP 318
Xbox has officially hit reset—and this time, they’re saying it out loud. In a rare internal memo, leadership under Asha Sharma acknowledges what many players have been feeling: the experience hasn’t been good enough. Pricing, updates, and platform identity are all under review—and Game Pass is...
-
Game Pass “Too Expensive?”, PS5 vs Switch 2 & Metro 2039 Revealed | XEP 317
This week on The Expansion Pass, we’re breaking down one of the most important shifts happening in gaming right now. Is Xbox Game Pass becoming too expensive? New data shows subscription spending is rising fast—but Xbox leadership is already signaling concern about pricing and long-term value....
-
Xbox at 25: Seamus Blackley Interivew on Xbox, AI’s Impact & Gaming’s Future
To celebrate 25 years of Xbox, we’re joined by Seamus Blackley — widely known as the father of Xbox. In this episode, we revisit the creation of the original Xbox, the risks it took to break into the industry, and how those early decisions shaped modern gaming. But the conversation doesn’t stop...
-
Xbox at 25: Ed Fries on Halo, Risk, and the Future of Gaming
Xbox didn’t start as a sure thing—and according to Ed Fries, it almost didn’t happen at all. In this episode, we’re joined by Ed Fries, former Vice President of Microsoft Game Studios and one of the key figures behind the original Xbox, as he reflects on 25 years of Xbox, the risks it took to get...
-
Xbox Showcase Returns, Gears E-Day Leads, RAM Crisis Hits Gaming | XEP 316
Xbox has officially locked in its biggest moment of the year — and it could define the future of the platform. This week, we break down the confirmed Xbox Games Showcase and the full Gears of War: E-Day Direct, what it means for Xbox’s identity moving forward, and why this feels like a true…
more -
Xbox Is a “Pain” for Developers? Dave Oshry on Console Struggles | XP Interview
Dave Oshry (New Blood Interactive — DUSK, Ultrakill) breaks down why developing for Xbox can be a challenge for indie teams. From backend systems to certification delays, Oshry explains how console publishing differs from PC—and why some developers still see friction in the process. This clip...
-
PS5 Hits $649, Xbox Scrambles, Game Pass Changes Are Coming | XP 315
Sony has raised the price of the PlayStation 5 again—pushing the base model to $649 and the Pro to $899. It’s the second major price increase in under a year, and it’s happening at a point in the generation where prices are supposed to fall, not rise. Meanwhile, Microsoft delivers a strong…
more -
Starfield Hits PS5 — What It Means for Xbox + Crimson Desert Reactions | XEP 314
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, we’re tackling one of the biggest shifts in Xbox’s modern era. Starfield is coming to PlayStation 5 on April 7—launching alongside its largest update yet (Free Lanes) and the paid Terran Armada DLC. We break down pricing, Game Pass differences, what’s included…
more -
Project Helix: Xbox’s Next Console? | Marathon Player Numbers | XEP 313
Xbox may have just signaled the future of its next generation hardware. At GDC this week Microsoft confirmed Project Helix, a next-generation Xbox initiative built around a custom AMD chip and designed to support both console and PC gaming. But what exactly is Helix — a traditional console...
-
Xbox’s Next Console Is Basically a PC — Project Helix Explained | Sony Quits PC? | XEP 312
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun examine one of the most interesting weeks in the gaming industry. Xbox has revealed the codename for its next generation hardware — Project Helix — a console designed to bridge the gap between Xbox and PC gaming...
-
Xbox’s Identity Crisis, Bluepoint’s Bloodborne Rejection & Sony Pulling Back? | XEP 311
Xbox says it’s a “Return to Xbox.” But what does that actually mean? This week we break down Asha Sharma’s first interview as Xbox leadership shifts — and whether the brand is facing an identity crisis. We discuss: Hardware vs ecosystem strategy What “form factor” could mean next-gen Exclusivity...
-
Xbox Leadership Shakeup: Phil Spencer Retires & Sarah Bond Exits | XEP 310
Phil Spencer retires after nearly 40 years at Microsoft. Sarah Bond exits Xbox leadership. Asha Sharma, an AI executive, takes over Microsoft Gaming. In this episode, we break down the leadership shakeup, Spencer’s legacy, Bond’s sudden departure, and what an AI-driven executive signals for…
more -
Mat Piscatella on Gaming’s $60B Market, GTA 6, Hardware Shortages & Game Pass | XEP Interview
Luke Lohr sits down with Circana’s Executive Director and video game industry analyst Mat Piscatella for a data-driven look at the state of gaming in 2026. Despite U.S. video game spending approaching $61 billion, the industry feels unsettled. Piscatella explains why record revenue can coexist…
more -
Live Service Collapse, State of Play Optics, and Industry Momentum | XEP 309
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and co-host Captain Logun break down major shifts in the gaming industry, from the continued collapse of live service games to why PlayStation’s latest State of Play generated so much momentum. The episode examines Overwatch’s platform...
-
Nintendo Welcomes Xbox, Hardware Sales Dip & Epic’s Storefront Push | XEP 308
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, the conversation centers on how quickly the gaming industry is shifting — and what that means for hardware, platforms, and players. A Nintendo Direct packed with Xbox-adjacent announcements signals just how normalized multi-platform publishing has become. At the...
-
Hardware Sales Drop, AI Anxiety & Highguard’s Launch Reality Check | XEP 307
Hardware sales are down across the gaming industry, developers are pushing back on generative AI, and we take a clear-eyed look at Highguard’s launch — from its strong debut to its rapid drop-off. On this episode of Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down what a late-generation slowdown actually means...
-
Ian Proulx on Splitgate’s Reset, Arena Reloaded, and Lessons Learned | XEP Interview
In this episode of Xbox Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr (Insipid Ghost) sits down with Ian Proulx, CEO and co-founder of 1047 Games, for a candid discussion about Splitgate’s past year, the Summer Game Fest moment, and the lessons learned along the way. Ian reflects on the challenges of building a…
more -
Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Breakdown: Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Big Game Pass Updates | XEP 306
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 and what it tells us about Xbox’s near-term future. We dig into Forza Horizon 6’s Japan setting, release date, and controversial $120 Premium Edition pricing, and then pivot to a deep dive on the Fable reboot — combat,...
-
GUNNAR Optiks CEO Joe Croft Talks Fallout Lucky 38, Major Gaming IPs, and the Future of Gaming Eyewear | XEP Interview
In this episode, Luke speaks with GUNNAR Optiks CEO Joe Croft about the company’s two decades in gaming, their collaborations with top studios, and how gaming eyewear is evolving. Joe shares insight into their upcoming Fallout: New Vegas “Lucky 38” collaboration, the brand-new Visor uni-lens…
more -
XEP 305: Forza Horizon 6 Leak, Xbox Developer Direct Preview, and Industry Layoffs
This week on the Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down the reported Forza Horizon 6 leak, preview the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct, and cover the latest industry layoffs impacting Meta, Ubisoft, Unity, and multiple VR studios. We examine new Alinea Analytics data on how Xbox titles are performing…
more -
Jason Schreier on GTA VI, Game Industry Layoffs & Studio Closures | XEP Interview
Jason Schreier on GTA VI, Game Industry Layoffs & Studio Closures — XEP Interview Jason Schreier joins XEP to break down the latest GTA VI news, the state of Rockstar’s development, and what “not content complete” really means for the game’s timeline. We also discuss major game industry layoffs,...
-
XEP 304: Xbox Dev Direct 2026 Leaked | Fable Deep Dive | Avowed Goes to PS5
This episode breaks down the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 and what to expect from Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Xbox’s first major slate of the year. We also discuss Avowed’s PS5 launch, January’s Game Pass lineup, the latest Steam Machine details, Fallout and Bethesda updates, and how Xbox is...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
TOPICS IN THIS SHOW
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to The Expansion Pass (XP) — your place for clear, thoughtful discussions on gaming without the console-war noise.Hosted by Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun, XP covers the biggest stories in gaming across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and Game Pass through weekly news analysis, in-depth reviews, and long-form developer interviews.Formerly Xbox Expansion Pass, the show has evolved into a multiplatform gaming podcast while staying rooted in the strategy, ecosystem, and conversations that built it.With 150+ interviews featuring developers, journalists, and studio leads — from AAA to indie — XP offers a grounded perspective on how games are made, why decisions happen, and where the industry is headed. Guests include creators from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Respawn, id Software, Ninja Theory, Blizzard, Asobo, Remedy, and more.
HOSTED BY
The Expansion Pass
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Expansion Pass have?
The Expansion Pass currently has 250 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Expansion Pass about?
Welcome to The Expansion Pass (XP) — your place for clear, thoughtful discussions on gaming without the console-war noise.Hosted by Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun, XP covers the biggest stories in gaming across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and Game Pass through weekly news analysis,...
How often does The Expansion Pass release new episodes?
The Expansion Pass publishes regularly with 250 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Expansion Pass?
You can listen to The Expansion Pass on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Expansion Pass?
The Expansion Pass is created and hosted by The Expansion Pass.
URL copied to clipboard!