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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 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.

What You’ll Hear on XP

• Weekly gaming and industry news
• Hands-on previews and spoiler-free reviews
• Interviews with developers, journalists, and industry veterans
• Coverage of Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and Game Pass
• Honest analysis grounded in experience and respect for players

Why Listeners Come to XP

• Clear takes
• No console-war noise
• Insightful, professional coverage
• A welcoming gaming community
• Industry-level conversations made accessible

Whether you're here for gaming news, developer insight, or thoughtful commentary on a changing industry, The Expansion Pass (XP) delivers high-quality coverage every week.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.

Subscribe and join the XP community — and enjoy gaming discussions built on clarity, passion, and respect.

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  • 25 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 40 min
  • English

Episodes 25

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Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #371
    May 3 · 1 hr 36 min

    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 brand. We also cover Sony’s response to PlayStation DRM concerns, what “digital ownership” actually means, and why the backlash matters more than the feature itself. Plus, Valve Corporation re-enters the hardware conversation with the new Steam Controller, raising bigger questions about the Steam Machine and whether something like Half-Life 3 is needed to drive adoption. Finally, we look at Nintendo’s growing Switch 2 lineup, including Splatoon Raiders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and new Star Fox rumors.

  • #370
    April 26 · 1 hr 45 min

    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 already seeing major changes. At the same time, Valve is quietly preparing a return to hardware. A new Steam Controller looks ready to launch, while larger ambitions like Steam Machine and Steam Frame face delays. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues executing with confidence, rolling out Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book without the same identity struggles seen elsewhere. Also this week: Diablo: Lord of Hatred impressions and early reviews Resident Evil Requiem sales milestone Assassin’s Creed Black Flag returns What all of this means for the future of gaming platforms This episode explores a simple question: 👉 Are platforms finally correcting course—or just reacting? 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 📅 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube

  • #369
    April 19 · 1 hr 40 min

    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. Meanwhile, PlayStation continues its steady approach with PS Plus, and Nintendo’s Switch 2 is helping drive major hardware growth. We also dive into Metro 2039’s reveal and how real-world events are shaping its story in a major way. 🎯 Topics include: Game Pass pricing concerns and future direction PS5 vs Switch 2 (Circana data breakdown) Metro 2039 reveal and thematic shift PlayStation Plus April lineup Rockstar security concerns ahead of GTA VI 🎮 Also discussed: Fur Squadron Phoenix impressions Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Pragmata gameplay thoughts Windrose preview 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 📅 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube

  • #368
    April 11 · 1 hr 44 min

    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 there. We dive into the growing role of AI in game development, how it could reshape creativity, production, and player experiences, and whether the industry is prepared for what’s coming next. From cloud gaming and shifting business models to the balance between innovation and financial pressure, this is a wide-ranging discussion on where gaming is headed—and what it may lose along the way.

  • #367
    April 8 · 1 hr 19 min

    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 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 right—and what it missed Why the “gaming is dying” narrative doesn’t hold up Where the industry is actually growing How AI is already changing game development Ed also shares his perspective on modern Xbox leadership, the shift from console to platform, and what the future of gaming may look like. If you’re interested in how Xbox was built—and where the industry may be heading, check this out. 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV | Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube

Showing 21–25 of 25 episodes