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★★★★★

4.7

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101 reviews

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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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Check latest episodes from The Expansion Pass podcast

GTA 6 PC Rumors, Xbox Labs & The Future of Xbox Exclusives

2026/10/17

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 releases, and the role PlayStation’s marketing agreement could play. From there, we break down the new Xbox Nano Controller and Xbox Labs, including the potential implications for game preservation, backwards compatibility, AI-assisted development, mobile gaming, and Xbox’s next generation. Then the conversation turns to one of the bigger questions surrounding Xbox: should Microsoft keep more games exclusive? We discuss Minecraft, Clockwork Revolution, Elder Scrolls, increasingly expensive console hardware, and whether Xbox’s multiplatform strategy ultimately helps or hurts its hardware business. Plus: early Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 impressions, Gears of War, World of Warcraft Forever, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, The Witcher 3, and plenty more. Chapters: 0:00 – The Expansion Pass x The Nerd Chat 6:45 – GTA 6 PC in Q1 2027? 22:42 – Xbox Nano Controller 35:18 – Xbox Labs, AI & Game Preservation 49:17 – New Releases & Modern Warfare 4 55:36 – Should Xbox Bring Back Exclusives? 1:08:30 – What We’ve Been Playing 1:15:53 – World of Warcraft Forever & Boltgun 2 1:24:28 – Best Food We Had This Week 1:37:11 – Closing Out the Crossover

INTERVIEW: Dead by Daylight’s 2027 Overhaul, Terrifier & the Future of DBD with Mathieu Côté

2026/10/16

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 against the rebuild, and what the update could mean for legacy licensed characters like Michael Myers. He also responds to the recent Terrifier / Art the Clown criticism, discusses why Art may be the most intense killer Behaviour has ever created, and explains whether characters that have left Dead by Daylight could eventually return. Additional topics include the Dead by Daylight movie with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, Jason Voorhees, Halloween and the growing asymmetrical horror genre, Behaviour’s work with The Coalition on Gears of War: E-Day, The Division 2 crossover, UGC tools, Stephen King, Pennywise, Scooby-Doo, Goosebumps and more. Chapters: 0:00 Mathieu Côté Returns 0:59 Dead by Daylight’s 2027 Overhaul 10:01 Licensed Characters and Legacy Updates 16:27 Rebuilding DBD While Supporting the Live Game 23:14 Behaviour’s Gears of War: E-Day Connection 26:31 Skins, Chapters and the Future of DBD Content 33:56 New Players and the Asymmetrical Horror Genre 36:34 Dead by Daylight Movie, Blumhouse & Atomic Monster 42:16 The Division 2, Fortnite and DBD in Other Games 47:14 Halloween, SAW: Genesis and Asymmetrical Horror 50:50 Scooby-Doo, Goosebumps and Terrifier 54:37 Stephen King, Pennywise and Dream Licenses 57:19 Maps, Bots and UGC Tools 1:01:43 Cult Horror and Religion in DBD 1:05:14 What’s Next for Dead by Daylight 1:06:25 Art the Clown: DBD’s Most Intense Killer 1:08:09 Could Michael Myers Return?

INTERVIEW: Gears of War: E-Day — The Coalition on Horror, Horde Siege & More Gears

2026/10/07

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 know. We also dig into how the team approaches changes to established Gears lore, why the franchise has such a powerful connection with the Hispanic and Mexican communities, and how much freedom Horde Siege has to bring characters from across Gears history into the fight. Plus, the team reflects on E-Day’s reception and what it means to have Gears back at the center of the gaming conversation. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Welcome The Coalition 00:39 — Why Gears Resonates With the Hispanic Community 03:59 — Building and Destroying Kalona 08:49 — Making the Locust Terrifying Again 14:27 — Marcus & Dom Before the Brotherhood 18:13 — Changing Gears Lore Without Breaking It 21:32 — Horde Siege, Canon & Returning Characters 24:39 — E-Day’s Reception and the Xbox Conversation 27:59 — The Coalition’s Message to Gears Fans

Gears of War: E-Day Reviews, Xbox Sale Rumors & PlayStation’s Collector’s Edition Shift

2026/10/04

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 so strongly with longtime Gears fans. The conversation also covers Xbox’s new Mythic Achievements, reports addressing whether Xbox is actually for sale, God of War: Laufey pre-orders, PlayStation’s apparent retreat from traditional Collector’s Editions, physical vs. digital games, accessibility and game design, and the rising cost of AAA development. A wide-ranging discussion on Gears, Xbox, PlayStation, and where the industry may be heading next.

Shawn Layden on PlayStation’s Future, Physical Games, Xbox & the Changing Industry

2026/09/30

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 future of physical games, subscription services like Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, the changing purpose of console exclusives, and how PlayStation’s approach to PC fits into the larger evolution of the platform. We also look back at his years with PlayStation, including the importance of first-party studios, Sony’s acquisition of Insomniac Games, the balance between single-player experiences and live-service ambitions, and an era when PlayStation communicated with players very differently. It’s a conversation about where PlayStation has been, where the console business appears to be going, and what may be lost—or gained—as the traditional boundaries between platforms continue to change. Topics include: Shawn Layden • PlayStation • Xbox • Physical Games • Digital Games • Game Pass • PlayStation Plus • Console Exclusives • PC Gaming • Insomniac Games • First-Party Studios • Live-Service Games • Single-Player Games • The Future of Consoles

Halo Moves to Activision as Xbox Restructures Again

2026/09/27

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 can actually get them moving again. Plus, we discuss Project Helix and physical games, Xbox’s broader strategy, Mythic Achievements, Wolverine, Control Resonant, and Gears of War: E-Day. Follow The Expansion Pass on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast app of choice so the next episode lands automatically. 00:00 Intro, Gears E-Day & What We're Playing 18:23 Xbox Layoffs & Halo Moves to Activision 21:37 Activision, Rare & Xbox Studio Management 30:29 Ninja Theory & the Future of Halo 38:08 Obsidian Joins Bethesda + Fallout 44:05 Turn 10 & Playground Games Merge 48:24 Wolverine & Control Resonant Impressions 1:00:13 Project Helix & the Future of Physical Games 1:07:11 Xbox Market Share, Game Pass & PC Strategy 1:21:10 Mythic Achievements, Upcoming Games & Wrap

Xbox Goes All In, StarCraft Returns & Wolverine Sells Big

2026/09/19

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 horizon, and World of Warcraft: Forever opens up a much bigger discussion about Blizzard’s future under Microsoft. We also dig into Marvel’s Wolverine’s strong early sales, Gears of War: E-Day, AI-assisted game development, The Sinking City 2, Xbox achievements, listener questions, and more. Clear takes. No console-war noise.

PlayStation Drops Kojima, Xbox Gets PHYSINT

2026/09/13

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. With Insomniac’s latest landing below the studio’s usual critical standard, is a score in the high 70s really cause for concern? Or has the conversation around review scores become disconnected from whether a game is actually worth playing? Nintendo, meanwhile, had a massive week. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting its long-awaited remake, Metroid Ravenous is on the way, Persona 6 makes an appearance, and Switch 2 continues to build an increasingly impressive lineup. Plus: Forza Horizon 6 and PlayStation, Fable vs. God of War, the future of physical games, Xbox’s disc-to-digital strategy, and whether dissatisfied PlayStation players would actually move to Xbox — or simply move to PC. Clear takes. No console-war noise. Support The Expansion Pass on Patreon: patreon.com/TheExpansionPass

Xbox Cloud Gaming Gets Worse + Sony’s State of Play Was Awful

2026/09/06

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 about Microsoft’s cloud strategy. Then there’s PlayStation. Sony’s latest State of Play was a rough watch, even if a surprising number of the games shown are also headed to Xbox. We break down what went wrong, what actually looked good, and why Sony’s showcase strategy continues to feel strange. Nintendo, meanwhile, is doing the opposite: two Nintendo Directs are coming, including a Zelda 40th Anniversary presentation, and expectations are already climbing. We also get into Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which is earning excellent reviews and has quickly become one of our favorite releases of the year; Halloween: The Game, IllFonic’s latest attempt to break through in the asymmetrical horror genre; and The Blood of Dawnwalker, which is already celebrating strong reviews and major sales. Plus: Tim Schafer and Double Fine’s bizarre post-Xbox independence video sends Luke over the edge, GTA VI is already moving PS5 and Xbox hardware, Xbox’s disc-to-digital program gets even more interesting for handheld players, and we indulge in some TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan remaster speculation. Xbox Cloud Gaming limits. Sony State of Play. Nintendo Direct. GTA VI. Onimusha. Halloween. Double Fine. There is a lot to fight about this week. Clear takes. No console-war noise.

GTA VI Gameplay Is Massive, Xbox Project Helix Takes Shape

2026/08/30

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 other developers. Microsoft's next generation comes into focus as Xbox details its new disc-to-digital entitlement program and Project Helix is described as a “family of devices.” We break down what that could mean for physical games, Xbox Play Anywhere, future consoles, the $899 Xbox Series X25, the ROG Xbox Ally X20, and rapidly rising gaming hardware prices. Plus: The Witcher 3 Remastered and Songs of the Past, what Bethesda needs to change for The Elder Scrolls VI, Marvel's Iron Man gameplay leak, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 impressions, and more from Gamescom 2026. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 11:44 Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Impressions 20:56 The Games Getting Buried This Fall 28:41 GTA VI Gameplay Is Finally Here 37:08 Does GTA VI Need 60 FPS? 50:23 What Does Elder Scrolls VI Need to Change? 52:30 The Witcher 3 Returns Again 1:05:56 Xbox's Disc-to-Digital Future 1:09:30 Xbox Series X25 & New Hardware 1:19:30 Project Helix: A “Family of Devices” 1:27:24 Marvel's Iron Man Gameplay Leaks 1:37:30 Gaming Hardware Is Getting Too Expensive

GTA 6 Hacked Again & Xbox Is Changing Everything

2026/08/23

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 stopped providing digital sales data to Circana, PlayStation and Steam logos are disappearing from Xbox marketing, and the reported Xbox Disc-to-Digital program could fundamentally change how physical Xbox libraries survive into the next generation. We debate what these moves actually mean for Xbox, whether physical games are dying on the platform, and whether Microsoft's increasingly digital ecosystem is becoming more—or less—consumer friendly. Plus: Gears of War: E-Day vs. Modern Warfare 4, rising console prices, PlayStation's digital ownership problem, Horizon Hunters Gathering, Xbox dashboard improvements, and more.

Gears E-Day Is Exploding — Can Xbox Finally Have Its Win?

2026/08/16

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 why Xbox needs to capitalize on the opportunity. Plus, we dig into the first hands-on impressions of Marvel's Wolverine, the leaked Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 hardware, Xbox's Elite Series 3 leak, Gears E-Day controllers, Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition, the increasingly crowded fall release calendar, and Xbox's upcoming Gamescom 2026 presence. Can Gears E-Day become the flagship win Xbox has been waiting for? And is Wolverine shaping up to be PlayStation's next major hit? The Expansion Pass covers Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and the biggest stories across gaming—without the console-war noise. Apple's own creator guidance supports this approach: descriptions should quickly communicate what the episode covers and why someone should listen, while naturally incorporating terms people might actually search.

Xbox Backward Compatibility, Gears E-Day & Ghost Recon | XP 332

2026/08/09

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 compatibility plans, including what they could mean for original Xbox and Xbox 360 games across console and PC. We also discuss the latest Achievement updates, Xbox’s renewed focus on its existing community, physical game preservation, and where the platform may be heading next. Then we get into our hands-on impressions of the Gears of War: E-Day beta. Horde Siege has us impressed, but can The Coalition convince players outside the existing Gears audience to give E-Day a chance? Plus, QuakeCon 2026 delivers new Quake content, Grounded 2 prepares to head Into the Abyss, Nintendo shows more Fire Emblem, Ghost Recon Wildlands gets a substantial update nine years after launch, and Luke has a warning for anyone considering Jotunnslayer on Nintendo Switch 2. Topics include: • Xbox backward compatibility and game preservation • Xbox Achievement updates • The future of the Xbox ecosystem • Gears of War: E-Day beta impressions • Horde Siege and the evolution of Gears • QuakeCon 2026 and Quake: Dawn of the Machine • Grounded 2: Into the Abyss • Fire Emblem and Nintendo Switch 2 • Ghost Recon Wildlands’ new update • Jotunnslayer on Switch 2 The Expansion Pass delivers thoughtful gaming discussion without the console-war noise.

Is Gears of War: E-Day a Winner? Xbox's Strategy Shift & PlayStation's Digital Gamble | XP 331

2026/08/02

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 has found the right balance between classic Gears and modern gameplay. We also dive into Microsoft's latest earnings report and Asha Sharma's long-term roadmap for Xbox. What do the company's priorities mean for consoles, Game Pass, Minecraft, TV adaptations, and the future of Project Helix? Finally, Sony has responded to concerns over its move away from physical media. Is an all-digital PlayStation inevitable? What does that mean for collectors, ownership, and the next generation of consoles? In This Episode • Jampack Sam's Gears of War: E-Day hands-on impressions • Horde Siege, PvP, progression, and launch expectations • Xbox's long-term strategy after Microsoft's earnings report • Console exclusives, Project Helix, and Xbox's future direction • Sony addresses the end of physical media • Why digital ownership remains one of gaming's biggest debates If you enjoy thoughtful gaming conversations without the console-war noise, subscribe and leave us a rating—it helps more people discover the show. 🎧 Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎵 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa New episodes every week.

Andrew Hulshult Interview | DOOM, Iron Lung, DUSK & The Dark Ages Story

2026/07/28

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 learning guitar through Napster to becoming one of gaming's most recognizable composers. We explore how the fan-favorite IDKFA soundtrack became official DOOM content, the pressure of following legendary composers Bobby Prince and Mick Gordon, and the incredible story behind choosing to score Iron Lung instead of pursuing what became DOOM: The Dark Ages. We also discuss: How Andrew got started in music The origins of IDKFA Working with id Software DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods DUSK and the rise of New Blood Interactive Steam Deck and favorite games Composing under impossible deadlines Indie vs. AAA development Dream franchises he'd still love to score Upcoming projects Whether you're a fan of DOOM, retro FPS games, game music, or simply enjoy hearing from the developers shaping the industry, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Thank you for listening to The Expansion Pass. If you enjoyed the interview, please consider following the show and leaving a review—it helps us continue bringing conversations like this to the community.

Podcast reviews

Read The Expansion Pass podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

101 reviews

★★★★★

brianeck85 2026/01/19

Smart, honest gaming discussions

I started listening to Xbox Expansion Pass fairly recently, and it’s stayed in my rotation ever since. Luke and Logan do a great job breaking down ga...

★★★★★

Falconguy19 2026/01/10

Best gaming podcast

There is no better gaming podcast out there. Positive, insightful and fun. 2 great guys making fun content. A must listen!

★★★★★

SJDub5 2025/03/21

Great!!

Luke and Logan are some of the best! They keep you up to date on the gaming industry while staying away from the toxicity that others focus on

★☆☆☆☆

Chussles 2023/09/11

Harry Potter

These people actually believe a man can be a woman. They actually think a man can have a monthly cycle like a woman. I know they’re not biologists but...

★★★★★

anubis316 2023/08/31

Great interviews

Luke does a great job oh hosting a 1 man podcast which has got to be incredibly hard. He reviews weekly gaming news but my favorite part is his interv...

★★★★★

Pantshater24 2023/04/25

One of the best Xbox podcasts, period

Not only is Luke extremely likable to listen to his overall knowledge and drive to make XEP better and better shows.

★★★★★

BravesB 2023/04/21

Informative and Professional

Luke just knows how to make great content, full stop. He cares about quality content and quality production and it shows. Great insights into the indu...

★★★★★

DVX 2023/04/19

Fantastic Xbox Show with an Amazing Host

Check out this podcast, Luke is very knowledgeable and fun! I love his Xbox takes.

★★★★★

Serious559 2023/04/19

Great Xbox Podcast!

While this Podcast is Xbox focused, Luke does an incredible job covering both the good and bad that surrounds Xbox and gaming while staying positive! ...

★★★★★

JampackSam 2023/04/19

One of the Best Xbox Shows

Logun and Luke have some awesome energy that dodges console wars and focuses on enjoying and celebrating games. Awesome interviews, great conversation...

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