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Artwork for The Expansion Pass

The Expansion Pass

The Expansion Pass
Xbox
Gears Of War
Fallout
Game Pass
Sea Of Thieves
Xbox Showcase
Hellblade II
Activision Blizzard
Starfield
Call Of Duty
Halo Infinite
Hi-Fi Rush
Redfall
Tango Gameworks
Doom
Indiana Jones
Elder Scrolls 6
Avowed
Ghostwire Tokyo
Playstation

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 ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes250Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo GamesGames

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Artwork for The Expansion Pass

Latest Episodes

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 mo... more

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 reflec... more

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 movi... more

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 ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ed Fries
Former Vice President of Game Publishing at Microsoft (Xbox era)
Microsoft
Episode: Xbox at 25: Ed Fries on Halo, Risk, and the Future of Gaming
Dave Oshry
CEO and founder of New Blood Interactive
New Blood Interactive
Episode: Xbox Is a “Pain” for Developers? Dave Oshry on Console Struggles | XP Interview
Mr. BadBit
Host of The Trophy Room, PlayStation-focused creator
Trophy Room
Episode: Project Helix: Xbox’s Next Console? | Marathon Player Numbers | XEP 313
Jason Schreier
Author and Bloomberg gaming journalist
Bloomberg
Episode: Jason Schreier on GTA VI, Game Industry Layoffs & Studio Closures | XEP Interview
Mathieu Cote
Head of Partnerships at Behavior Interactive
Behavior Interactive
Episode: Interview: Dead By Daylight | Mathieu Cote
Jam-packed Sam
Content creator and gaming enthusiast with insights from hands-on experience at Halo Studios
None
Episode: XEP 296: Halo On PlayStation in 2026 | AI In Xbox Games | Outer Worlds 2 Reviews
Marcus Morgan
Executive Producer for Obsidian Entertainment's Grounded 2
Obsidian Entertainment
Episode: XEP Interview | Grounded 2
Chris Park
Director of Obsidian Entertainment's Grounded 2
Obsidian Entertainment
Episode: XEP Interview | Grounded 2
Joseph Moran
Known as Mr. Badbit, host of the PlayStation Trophy Room Podcast.
PlayStation Trophy Room Podcast
Episode: XEP 281: Firing Developers, Closing Studios, & Cancelling Projects

Hosts

Luke Lohr
Host of Xbox Expansion Pass, Luke is known for his in-depth analysis of gaming news, hands-on game reviews, and interviews with industry leaders. He brings extensive knowledge of games and the industry, focusing on creating a positive, informative environment.
Captain Logan
Co-host of Xbox Expansion Pass, Captain Logan contributes to discussions about gaming industry trends and engaging interviews. Alongside Luke, he fosters a respectful and thoughtful atmosphere for gaming conversations.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 250 ratings
  • XEP works extremely hard to bring weekly gaming coverage from across the industry. There are regularly developer interviews and they do not encourage console wars.

    Podchaser
    5
    insipidghost
    3 months ago
  • 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 gaming and industry news in a way that feels thoughtful and measured rather than reactionary. The discussions are honest, well-informed, and never talk down to the listener. You can tell both hosts genuinely care about the quality of the conversation, not just getting through the headlines.

    One of the highlights for me has been the interviews. They ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brianeck85
    United States3 months ago
  • Best gaming podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Falconguy19
    United States3 months ago
  • 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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SJDub5
    United Statesa year ago
  • 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 common sense tells you men are men and women are women.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    iRaUnSpokenHero
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms mention the show's focus on Xbox, although this specialization is also viewed as a strength by its core audience.
Many appreciate the podcast's positive atmosphere, which contrasts with the often toxic discourse in gaming communities.
Interviews with industry veterans have been highlighted as a strong point, offering listeners unique insights into game development processes and industry trends.
Listeners value the podcast for its thoughtful and engaging discussions about gaming without the typical console war mentality.
The hosts are praised for their professionalism and ability to provide clear and insightful content in every episode.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Xbox Is a “Pain” for Developers? Dave Oshry on Console Struggles | XP Interview
Q: What does success look like for New Blood Interactive?
Success is relative and not tied to blockbuster sales; for many of their titles, reaching tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand copies sold is sustainable and enables ongoing development, especially given their independent, non-publisher model.
Xbox’s Identity Crisis, Bluepoint’s Bloodborne Rejection & Sony Pulling Back? | XEP 311
Q: If PlayStation does axe single-player ports to PC, does that impact your desire to get a Steam machine?
Yes, it does damage my desire for a Steam machine, but my library on Steam is substantial, so I still want to get one.
Mat Piscatella on Gaming’s $60B Market, GTA 6, Hardware Shortages & Game Pass | XEP Interview
Q: Why do games take so long to make?
Games take time because you won't know what works until you actually make it and start playing it, often leading to iteration and redoing.
Mat Piscatella on Gaming’s $60B Market, GTA 6, Hardware Shortages & Game Pass | XEP Interview
Q: Can you talk about what a CCU is for people that don't know?
A concurrent user is how many people are playing a game at any given time, which can be misleading due to the stickiness of the game.
GUNNAR Optiks CEO Joe Croft Talks Fallout Lucky 38, Major Gaming IPs, and the Future of Gaming Eyewear | XEP Interview
Q: How do you pick the right brand for collaborations?
The best collaborations are always win-win relationships, and we look for partners who are passionate about our products and have mutual interests.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Expansion Pass

What is The Expansion Pass about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the gaming industry, the discussions aim to provide clear and insightful commentary without the typical console-war narrative. The hosts cover a broad spectrum of topics from gaming news, industry shifts, and console updates to in-depth interviews with developers and industry veterans. Unique to this content are the extensive interviews, exceeding 120, representing various segments of the gaming world from indie to AAA titles. This engages audiences who seek a deeper understanding of how games are developed and the choices behind them. The podcast is a hub for gamers interested in industry trends, genuine perspectives on Xbox and its ecosystem, and community-driven conversation.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Expansion Pass?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Expansion Pass. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Expansion Pass and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Expansion Pass get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Expansion Pass?

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How many subscribers and views does The Expansion Pass have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Expansion Pass has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Expansion Pass?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Expansion Pass:

1. The XB2 — An Xbox & Gaming Podcast
2. The DayOne Show | A Video Games Podcast
3. XNC - Xbox News Cast Podcast
4. The Xbox Drive
5. Shared Save: A Gaming Discussion Podcast

How many episodes of The Expansion Pass are there?

The Expansion Pass launched 7 years ago and published 250 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Expansion Pass?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Expansion Pass?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Expansion Pass from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Expansion Pass?

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What guests have appeared on The Expansion Pass?

Recent guests on The Expansion Pass include:

1. Ed Fries
2. Dave Oshry
3. Mr. BadBit
4. Jason Schreier
5. Mathieu Cote
6. Jam-packed Sam
7. Marcus Morgan
8. Chris Park

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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