
The Xbox Expansion pass is an analytical podcast dedicated to the goings on of the gaming industry as they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Hosted by Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, XEP aims to offer insightful discussions on gaming culture as it pertains to Xbox, Project xCloud, and Xbox Game Pass. Interviews from throughout the industry frequent the show as developers, actors, producers, and analysts share their experiences in gaming.
Episodes

Sunday Oct 23, 2022
Sunday Oct 23, 2022
#Xbox #VictorLucas #SilentHill
In episode 151 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome the legendary Victor Lucas to the show to chat about the week’s news including the Silent Hill and Resident Evil showcases which gave horror fans plenty cause for celebration. Meanwhile the releases of Gotham Knights, A Plague Tale Requiem, and Modern Warfare’s campaign have us all lamenting our backlogs. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
1:13 Words of Kindness
6:15 Television & Gaming
12:54 Youtube & Gaming
18:18 Silent Hill Returns
26:00 Exclusives Hurt Gaming
33:30 Konami Surviving
38:30 Resident Evil Showcase
47:27 Gotham Knights Impressions
58:59 Super Hero Licenses

Sunday Oct 16, 2022
Sunday Oct 16, 2022
#Xbox #GothamKnights #LayersOfFears
In episode 150 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome the creative director for Layers of Fears Damian Kocurek on from Anshar Studios to discuss bringing fear to gaming, an interview just in time for Spooky Season. Gotham Knights is locked at 30 frames on consoles and Xbox is bringing Cloud gaming to the Meta Quest Store. It’s a celebratory episode for 150 . Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:46 Welcome
1:29 Words of Kindness
10:24 XEP Goals
11:30 Contest Winners
12:49 Xbox Meta Quest
18:06 Game Pass Revenue
23:16 Gotham Knights 30fps
27:48 Listener Mail
44:45 Damian Kocurek
51:05 Preparing for Layers of Fears
56:10 Unreal Engine 5
59:50 Creating Horror
1:04:50 Watching Let's Plays
1:08:30 Pressure
1:12:36 Layers of Fears VR
1:17:36 Closing

Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
#Xbox #CDProjektRed #MikeChapman
In episode 149 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome Mike Chapman from Rare to discuss his role as Creative Director for Sea of Thieves and just how the game has evolved since launch…plus a few teases for the future. Prior to that we’ll discuss roadmap laid out for future content out of CD Projekt Red for the Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:26 Welcome
1:26 Words of Kindness
4:12 CD Projekt Red
6:24 Cyberpunk 2077 Review
9:38 CDPR Roadmap
14:40 Good or Bad Leaks
18:11 Gotham Knights
20:06 Metacritic 70s
24:13 Favorite Moments
29:45 Halloween Games
34:10 Introducing Mike Chapman
37:00 Rare's Superpower
43:40 Launching A Live Service
48:30 Keeping the Team Healthy
52:00 Setting a Good Example
55:41 Is Rare Unique With Community
1:00:25 Planning Room Features
1:02:00 Sea of Thieves Documentary
1:05:00 How Many Teams
1:09:50 What Makes A World Event?
1:13:25 Flameheart Returns and Villains
1:17:56 PvP vs PvE
1:22:13 Time Gated Content
1:27:15 Crossovers
1:30:00 Community Day Lessons
1:33:00 Game Pass Impacts
1:36:30 Sales Figures Incoming
1:39:45 Cloud Gaming & Sea of Thieves
1:41:35 Grand Maritime Union
1:44:30 Closing

Sunday Oct 02, 2022
Sunday Oct 02, 2022
#Xbox #Stadia #Soulstice
In episode 148 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome the developers of Reply Games Marco Mortillaro and Samuele Perseo on to discuss their recent AA release of Soulstice, an homage to classic action games like DMC and Ninja Gaiden. Prior to that we take a look at the implications on xCloud of Google’s decision to shut down Stadia and what game companies are doing for players impacted. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:29 Welcome
1:11 Words of Kindness & Cyberpunk
8:39 Stadia Shuts Down
15:37 Grounded Full Release
18:22 Soulstice Impressions
20:16 Spooky Games
24:41 Live Service Storytelling
32:25 Reply Game Studios
38:00 Comparing Soulstice to AAA
48:00 Level Design & Story
53:45 Language Writing
58:13 Fixed Camera
1:03:00 Slow Motion
1:07:40 Stefanie Joosten
1:13:29 Soliciting Feedback
1:17:00 Pride In Soulstice

Sunday Sep 25, 2022
Sunday Sep 25, 2022
#Xbox #Cyberpunk #IronMan
In episode 147 of the Xbox Expansion Pass there’s plenty of good news to discuss ranging from the announcement of EA Motive’s Iron Man title to Satya Nadella’s public statements on the Activision Blizzard Deal expressing confidence and perhaps casting shade. Beyond that GTA 6 has been leaked and Cyberpunk lives again. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:42 Welcome
1:17 Words of Kindness
6:31 New Iron Man Game
10:39 Comic Book Games
13:07 Satya Nadella Talks Activision
18:51 GTA 6 Leak
24:39 Cyberpunk Resurgence
31:00 Leaving Xbox One Behind
36:07 Japanese Xbox Success
40:36 Outro

Sunday Sep 18, 2022
Sunday Sep 18, 2022
#Xbox #TokyoGameShow #BonnieRoss
In episode 146 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’re joined by the Grand Curator of the Game Mess, Mr. Jeff Grubb. We’ll be chatting this past week’s second E3-esque slew of announcements thanks to a PlayStation State of Play, Nintendo Direct, and Xbox’s Tokyo Game Show - lots of cross platform news hitting the gamerverse in this one. Bonnie Ross is exiting 343 Industries raising questions about the future of Halo and Jeff Grubb shares details of Xbox's internal release schedule. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:30 Welcome
1:02 Words of Kindness Jeff Grubb
3:30 Changing Content Creation
7:41 Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2022
10:31 Phil Spencer In Japan
14:14 Buy the Exclusive or Buy the Publisher
17:21 What If Halo and Forza Hit Bigger?
20:46 Xbox Game Studios Internal Schedule
23:20 XGS In 2023
27:57 ID@Xbox Update & Old Xbox JRPGS
31:16 Goldeneye 007 on Xbox
36:44 Bonnie Ross Leaving Halo & 343 Industries
43:01 No New Halo Content?
43:50 Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
52:01 More Xbox Acquisitions?
54:34 Upcoming Disney Games
57:33 Yakuza Day One on Game Pass
58:50 Bloodborne Update

Sunday Sep 11, 2022
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
#Xbox #JimRyan #CallofDuty
In episode 145 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we break down comment's made by Playstation's Jim Ryan calling Phil Spencer's Activision offer "inadequate" while also debating the merits of a price hike for consoles. New Xbox hardware has been announced by way of the Elite 2 Core controller and we wonder just what's going on at 343 studios.
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!

Sunday Aug 21, 2022
Xbox Expansion Pass 144: Interview With Seamus Blackley
Sunday Aug 21, 2022
Sunday Aug 21, 2022
#Xbox #SeamusBlackley #EmbracerGroup
In episode 144 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’re grateful to be joined by Seamus Blackley. Physicist, mathematician, designer and Father of the Original Xbox. This has been a long time coming and as always: enjoy.
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:46 Welcome
1:15 Words of Kindness
3:36 Embracer Group Acquisitions
6:38 Dead Island 2
8:48 Introducing Seamus Blackley
10:00 Reflecting on Celebrity
14:51 Emailing Bill Gates & Internal Politics
19:37 Seamus vs 3DO
21:29 From A Home of Abuse
23:39 Life Changing Quote
27:00 Lonely?
34:15 Ethernet to xCloud
40:15 Proving Bill Gates
43:33 Microsoft's Dumb Mistake
46:50 People Taking Credit
51:58 Thoughts on Activision & Bethesda
52:00 Peter Moore & Steve Balmer
54:02 Episode 201 of Unlocked
56:30 Phil Spencer
58:00 Local Compute versus Cloud
1:00:12 Seamus Advice
1:02:00 Now a CEO
1:05:00 Playing Games
1:08:07 Outro

Sunday Aug 14, 2022
Sunday Aug 14, 2022
#Xbox #Gamescom #RimworldConsoleEdition
In episode 143 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we discuss the recent string of high profile delays out of this fall, the Xbox presence at Gamescom, and Modern Warfare 2 looks to be making a big splash ahead of October. In the back half of the show we’re joined by Kevin Mann of Double Eleven Studios to discuss the release of Rimworld: Console Edition. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Welcome
1:22 Words of Kindness
4:27 Xbox at Gamescom
7:19 Playstation Blocking Games
9:25 Third Party at Gamescom
12:18 Delayed Games (Midnight Suns & Hogwarts)
18:43 Call of Duty Beta
21:06 Halo's Survival
23:15 Elden Ring In Gamepass
26:56 Dream Guest on XEP
34:52 Double Eleven's Kevin Mann
35:30 Rimworld's Genre
39:33 Porting a PC Game to Console
47:27 Pressure
50:11 Future Rimworld DLC
52:01 Massive Game
57:44 Killer Squirrels
1:01:22 Player Feedback
1:05:52 Closing

Sunday Aug 07, 2022
Sunday Aug 07, 2022
#Xbox #Playstation #Activision
In episode 141 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’re joined by content creator Mr. Boomstick XL to discuss a number of topics including an Xbox first party check in, the Activision acquisition bringing statements of fear from Sony and downplay from Microsoft, and Xbox is soft launching a Game Pass family plan. Enjoy!
The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr, the InsipidGhost, plays host and discusses various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry.
Mr. Boomstick's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DoubleBarrelGamingWMrBoomStickXL
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!
0:00 Intro
0:28 Welcome
0:59 Words of Kindness
3:04 First Party Check In - Halo
8:27 Roadmap Failures
10:48 Forge Mode Leaks
18:43 Forza Horizon Hot Wheels
25:04 Sea of Thieves Season 7
29:35 Is Sony Scared of Activision Deal?
36:00 It's Just Business
43:08 Game Pass Family Plan
49:48 Hellblade 2 Details
55:20 Closing