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PODCAST

The Expansion Pass

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

leisure video games

All Episodes

79:54

Xbox at 25: Ed Fries on Halo, Risk, and the Future of...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/04/08

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 off the ground, and how the industry has changed since. We discuss: Why Xbox was such an unlikely bet inside Microsoft The moment it finally felt real How Halo helped define the platform What Xbox got

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98:16

Xbox Showcase Returns, Gears E-Day Leads, RAM Crisis...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/04/04

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 turning point. We also dive into a long-awaited update on State of Decay 3, including its alpha rollout and what it signals about Xbox’s first-party pipeline. But the biggest story may be happening behind the

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67:37

Xbox Is a “Pain” for Developers? Dave Oshry on...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/04/02

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 highlights the realities of modern game development, platform differences, and the trade-offs studios face when bringing games to console. 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV |

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106:31

PS5 Hits $649, Xbox Scrambles, Game Pass Changes Are...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/03/29

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 Partner Preview, resets its messaging under Asha Sharma, and may be exploring a new lower-cost Game Pass tier. We also break down Project Helix and what it reveals about Xbox’s next-gen strategy. Plus: Crimson

en

109:00

Starfield Hits PS5 — What It Means for Xbox + Crimson...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/03/22

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, and the bigger question: what does this mean for Xbox as a platform going forward? We also dive into Crimson Desert, now live with massive player numbers but mixed early impressions. Is this the next big

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85:17

Project Helix: Xbox’s Next Console? | Marathon Player...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/03/15

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 successor or something closer to a living-room gaming PC? This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun break down everything currently confirmed about Project Helix and what it

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95:07

Xbox’s Next Console Is Basically a PC — Project Helix...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/03/08

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 ecosystems. At the same time, reporting from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier suggests that PlayStation may be reconsidering its strategy of bringing major single-player games to PC, potentially returning to a stronger

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99:12

Xbox’s Identity Crisis, Bluepoint’s Bloodborne...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/03/01

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 confusion across Xbox and PlayStation Bluepoint pitching a Bloodborne remake — and Sony saying no Resident Evil Requiem’s massive review scores Whether anyone in gaming actually knows where

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106:10

Xbox Leadership Shakeup: Phil Spencer Retires & Sarah...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/02/22

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 Xbox’s future. We examine the “Return of Xbox” messaging, monetization concerns, exclusives in 2026, Game Pass strategy, and the broader direction of console hardware. Is this a recommitment to Xbox… or a

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56:38

Mat Piscatella on Gaming’s $60B Market, GTA 6,...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/02/19

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 with market instability, why player growth has plateaued, and how attention is increasingly concentrated in a handful of live-service “black hole” titles. The conversation explores: • The impact of component

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81:36

Live Service Collapse, State of Play Optics, and...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/02/15

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 reset, sustainability challenges facing games as a service, and how third-party marketing can make multiplatform releases feel exclusive. The discussion also looks at Xbox’s evolving strategy, the role of

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91:40

Nintendo Welcomes Xbox, Hardware Sales Dip & Epic’s...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/02/08

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 same time, new data shows hardware sales continuing to slide across the industry, even as engagement and monthly active users remain strong. The discussion also digs into the Epic Games Store’s record year,

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93:28

Hardware Sales Drop, AI Anxiety & Highguard’s Launch...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/02/01

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 for consoles, why Xbox is increasingly judged by ecosystem reach rather than boxes sold, how tools like Project Genie are reshaping (and worrying) developers, and whether Highguard launched too early after

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27:18

Ian Proulx on Splitgate’s Reset, Arena Reloaded, and...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/31

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 sequel versus a new IP, why Splitgate 2 missed expectations for some players, and the difficult decision to reset and relaunch the game as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded. From there, the conversation shifts into

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102:44

Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Breakdown: Fable, Forza...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/25

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, morality systems, NPC simulation, and why this could finally be the RPG Xbox fans have waited two generations for.We also react to Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation, Double Fine’s clay-brawler Kiln, and

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57:50

GUNNAR Optiks CEO Joe Croft Talks Fallout Lucky 38,...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/22

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 shield arriving in 2026, and which major IPs GUNNAR is already in talks with — including Halo, Gears, Doom, DC, and Marvel.We also discuss how gaming partnerships actually happen, the surprising role 50 Cent

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98:14

XEP 305: Forza Horizon 6 Leak, Xbox Developer Direct...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/18

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 on PlayStation, react to the Resident Evil Requiem showcase, and discuss updates on Fable, Gears of War E-Day, Halo Campaign Evolved, Final Fantasy VII Remake on Xbox, and the newest Game Pass releases. A

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64:14

Jason Schreier on GTA VI, Game Industry Layoffs &...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/15

Jason Schreier on GTA VI, Game Industry Layoffs & Studio Closures — XEP InterviewJason 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, studio closures, and how shifting strategies at Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo are reshaping development in 2026. Insight on budgets, delays, leadership decisions, and the future of AAA games. Support

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88:13

XEP 304: Xbox Dev Direct 2026 Leaked | Fable Deep...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/11

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 positioning its 25th anniversary. Thoughtful, Xbox-forward conversations without the console-war noise. Hosted by Luke Lohr, THE InsipidGhost, and Captain Logun. Support

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124:25

XEP 303: The AAA Model Is Cracking | Our Favorite...

The Expansion Pass ·

2026/01/03

In this episode of Xbox Expansion Pass, we reflect on our favorite games of 2025 and what they reveal about where the industry is headed in 2026.We break down why smaller and mid-budget games like Arc Raiders, Avowed, Grounded 2, and South of Midnight connected so strongly, while the traditional AAA model continues to strain under rising budgets, longer development cycles, and higher price points. We also discuss the growing frustration around hardware costs, $80 games, and why many players simply

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368 results

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