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.
Episodes
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
In episode 138 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we battle another light news week with reviews of the SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless headset and offer impressions of the latest horror title in Fobia St. Dinfna Hotel. After that we rock some listener mail and then we’re joined by the Fobia developer Fabio Martins of Pulsatrix Studios to close out the show. 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 Opening
0:46 Welcome
1:22 Words of Kindness
3:02 Halo Infinite Co-Op
7:15 Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Review
17:40 Fobia St. Dinfna Hotel Impressions
22:07 Third Party Developers with Xbox IP
26:36 Sea of Thieves PvE
34:56 Fobia Interview
36:29 Fobia Inspirations
42:36 Fobia Puzzles
44:24 Environment Designs
54:27 Pulsatrix Studios
1:01:02 Closing
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
In episode 137 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’re welcoming Sniper Elite 5’s Lead Designer Ryan Baker on to discuss his work at Rebellion bringing Sniper Elite action to gamers. It’s kill cams galore. Prior to that it’s been a light news week so we dive deep into the XEP mailbag. 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 Opening
0:49 Welcome
1:22 Words of Kindness
2:48 Halo MCC Microtransactions
7:47 Headsets - Arctis Nova Pro
11:55 Fall Guys Xbox
13:11 2022 Indies
17:26 Grounded Full Release
20:46 Xbox Games on Playstation
23:53 Goldeneye on Xbox
26:11 Fall Xbox Games
28:55 Emotional Xbox Games
33:30 Sniper Elite 5 Interview
34:45 Watching Player Feedback
40:48 Difficulty & Accessibility
45:40 Sandbox Strategies
53:31 Kill Cams
56:19 Testicle Explosions
1:02:10 Zombie Army
1:07:16 Multiplayer
1:15:23 Xbox Game Pass
1:22:26 Closing
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
In episode 136 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’ll recap a few of the bigger announcements from the Capcom Showcase including the news regarding Series S|X upgrades for Resident Evil titles. After that we'll examine the Final Fantasy announcements from Square Enix including what is and is not coming to Xbox. Finally, we welcome back developers 34BigThings to discuss the launch of their antigravity racer Redout 2. It’s a packed episode and I hope you 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 David Bateson Intro
0:30 Welcome
1:09 Words of Kindness
1:55 Housekeeping
3:44 Capcom Showcase
5:53 Resident Evil Village
7:51 Dragon's Dogma 2
9:35 Starfield Scope
10:48 ExoPrimal
12:34 Final Fantasy Xbox
13:48 Ignoring Xbox
18:33 Showcase Reflections & Diablo 4
20:35 Listener Mail
22:30 Xbox Mascot
24:38 Halo Rumors
27:00 A Plague's Tale
28:14 Serious Xbox Games
31:35 Redout 2 Intrerview
33:12 Redout 2's Goals
35:06 Difficulty
38:00 Easier With Sequels
42:11 Ship Customization
45:46 NVRA Racing Inspiration
48:08 Redout 2 Soundtrack
50:15 Dynamic Music
52:40 Accessibilty Options
57:43 Redout Space Assault
1:00:00 No Xbox Game Pass/PS Plus
1:04:47 Outro
Monday Jun 13, 2022
Monday Jun 13, 2022
In episode 135 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we're looking back at some of the more memorable announcements from both Summer Games Fest and of course the Xbox Bethesda Showcase. From Riot Games to Diablo and Persona we'll break down the impact these announcements have on the Xbox ecosystem. After that we’ll be sitting down with Yannick Belzil of Tribute Games to discuss Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge. It’s a packed episode and I hope you 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
0:49 Welcome
1:26 Words of Kindness
3:38 Housekeeping
4:30 Samsung TV's
6:55 Activision Exclusivity
9:00 Summer Game Fest
10:04 Modern Warfare 2
13:53 Xbox Showcase Reactions
17:17 Riot Games
21:01 Overwatch & Diablo
25:20 Sea of Thieves & Flight Sim
26:55 Redfall
28:40 Hot Wheels Forza
31:22 More Games
34:55 Kojima
36:13 Starfield
40:51 Listener Mail
47:17 Shredder's Revenge Interview
51:18 Researching Art Styles
53:55 Difficulty & Multiplayer
56:08 Story Creation
1:01:04 Supporting Characters
1:03:00 Level Challenges
1:05:30 6 Player Co-Op
1:11:00 DLC & Costumes
1:13:40 Working With Dotemu
1:16:25 Cowabunga Collection
1:18:28 Game Pass Inclusion
1:20:25 Local Co-Op
1:23:49 Voice Cast
1:25:40 Creating TMNT Canon
1:28:08 Outro
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
In episode 134 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’re one week to the Xbox Showcase and even less to Summer Games Fest! We'll note the multi platform announcements from State of Play impacting the Xbox ecosystem and goodness knows there’s good times on the horizon. 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!
Monday May 30, 2022
Monday May 30, 2022
In episode 133 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we're joined by Jon McLaren, the voice of Star-Lord in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Jon discusses his work on the title, future projects, and dream roles across a number of 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!
Sunday May 22, 2022
Sunday May 22, 2022
In episode 132 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome Ed Fries, former Vice President of Game Publishing at Xbox to the show to discuss his career, Xbox in Japan, and what he thinks of current Xbox leadership decisions. Prior to that we’ll note the progress Xbox has made in the Japanese market and clear up misconceptions about what excitement for a brand in gaming can truly mean. 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.
Ed Fries currently works with 1UP Ventures helping developers work within a community to bring games to gamers.
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 May 15, 2022
Sunday May 15, 2022
In episode 131 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome legendary Halo voice actor Jeff Steitzer to the show to discuss his role as the voice of God multiplayer announcer. Prior to that we’re discussing the frustrating news that Redfall and Starfield have both been delayed to 2023 begging the question: does Xbox have games in 2022? 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!
Monday May 09, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
In episode 130 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we welcome Jampack Sam of Xhibition: An Xbox Podcast on to discuss the latest acquisition moves by Embracer group to gobble up major players in Square Enix’s staple. Xbox continues to make moves in the cloud gaming market and DRM is back in gamers crosshairs as an Xbox Network outage leaves thousands unable to play. 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!
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
In episode 129 of the Xbox Expansion Pass we’ll discuss official NPD numbers showing that Microsoft has had its best console sales quarter since the Xbox 360, outselling both Sony and Nintendo. The Xbox & Bethesda Showcase has been announced to ease your E3 withdrawals and there’s Disney goodness afoot in the Xbox Space. 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.
0:00
1:17 Housekeeping
3:48 Xbox & Bethesda Showcase Predictions
11:39 NPD Xbox
18:18 Disney Dreamlight Valley
24:17 Marcus Fenix VS Master Chief
27:12 Can Xbox Afford Delays?
28:07 WB & Ubisoft Acquisitions
31:22 PS+ Stacking
Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com
Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you!