Welcome to the Xbox Expansion Pass — your place for clear, thoughtful discussions on gaming without the console-war noise. Hosted by Luke Lohr (“Insipid Ghost”) and Captain Logun, XEP covers the biggest stories in Xbox and the gaming industry through weekly news analysis, in-depth reviews, and long-form developer interviews. Whether it’s hands-on impressions of the latest first-party titles, reactions to industry shifts, or conversations with the creators shaping the future of games, XEP brings informed, level-headed insight every week. With 120+ interviews featuring developers, journalists, and studio leads — from AAA to indie — Xbox Expansion Pass offers a grounded perspective on how games are made, why decisions happen, and where the industry is headed. Recent guests include creators from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Respawn, id Software, Ninja Theory, Blizzard, Asobo, Remedy, and more. What You’ll Hear on XEP Weekly Xbox and gaming industry news Hands-on previews and spoiler-free reviews Interviews with developers, journalists, and industry veterans Coverage of Xbox hardware, Game Pass updates, studio strategies, and platform trends Honest analysis grounded in experience, passion, and respect for players Why Listeners Come to XEP Clear takes No console-war noise Professional, insightful coverage A welcoming community of gamers Industry-level conversations accessible to everyone Whether you're here for Xbox news, behind-the-scenes dev stories, or thoughtful commentary on the shifting landscape of gaming, Xbox Expansion Pass brings you high-quality coverage every week on your platform of choice — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. Subscribe and join the XEP community — and enjoy gaming discussions built on clarity, passion, and respect.
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. Th...
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 stron...
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 ...
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 Spl...
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 ...
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 ho...
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, Fina...
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, studio closures, and how shifting strategies at Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo are reshaping development in 2026. Insight on budgets,...
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, a...
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 frust...
#Xbox #TheGameAwards #GamePass This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down Xbox’s pricing pushback around The Outer Worlds 2, what The Game Awards reveals say about where hype lives now, and the bigger industry mood surrounding the show. We also dig into Remedy’s next Control project, Tomb Raider’s two-track future, Diablo IV’s next expansion beats (and the Paladin conversation), and Xbox’s latest platform updates—plus why the ...
Luke Lohr is joined by Xbox Era's Jesse Norris and The Trophy Room's Mr. Bad Bit to discuss major Xbox Game Pass news as well as make predictions for Xbox's presence at this year's Game Awards. Enjoy!
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world ...
Luke Lohr and Captain Logun sit down to celebrate episode 300 of the Xbox Expansion Pass! We've got the latest news on Xbox games entering into Game Pass, on Play Anywhere and the latest pricing rumors for next gen. Enjoy!
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the g...
#XboxPartnerPreview #xbox360 #gamingnews
Luke Lohr and Captain Logun look back at the announcements coming out of the Xbox Partner Showcase as well as reminisce about the Xbox 360's launch and legacy as it celebrates 20 years. Enjoy!
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpr...
Luke Lohr and Captain Logun discuss the surprise announcement of the new Valve Steam Machine. What does this mean for the next Xbox, PlayStation, and console market? Arc Raiders is lighting the gaming work on fire. Does it's use of AI hurt the industry or help it?
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) ...
#DeadByDaylight
Luke Lohr sits down with Mathieu Cote (@DeadbyDaylightBHVR) the Head of Partnerships for Behavior Interactive to discuss how Dead By Daylight creates content for its players. Chapters, licensed IP, and development complexities are all up for discussion.
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XE...
#XboxNews #PlayStationNews #GamingNews
Luke Lohr and Captain Logun sit down to discuss the week's latest gaming news. Xbox is now fundamentally different and we know why. It looks like Xbox will be having more games, more showcases, and selling less and less hardware. How do we feel?
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Ex...
Luke Lohr and Captain Logun are joined by @JampackSam to discuss the incredible reveal of Halo Campaign Evolved, an entirely remade Halo Combat Evolved campaign with new levels, AI integration, and a PlayStation release. Sam went hands on and shares his experiences. Phil Spencer speaks on AI use at Xbox Game Studios, and The Outer Worlds 2 reviews are in!
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://...
#GamingNews #Xbox #PlayStation
Capt Logun is joined by Kevin TheMuffinMon @SaveTheGameMedia to talk about Keeper from Double Fine, games we're playing, opinions on the Xbox ROG Ally, and Ally X. Enjoy!
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the wor...
Luke Lohr is joined by Ainsley Bowden ( @SeasonedGaming ) and Joseph Moran ( @PSTrophyRoom Trophy Room: A PlayStation Podcast) to discuss the latest gaming news. Battlefield 6 has released to critical acclaim and immediate sales success. Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2 are all on deck for Xbox, and of course there is Xbox hardware news. Enjoy!
Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
XEP Merch: https...
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com