Xbox’s Next Console Is Basically a PC — Project Helix Explained | Sony Quits PC? | XEP 312
08/03/2026 | 1h 35 mins.
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun examine one of the most interesting weeks in the gaming industry.
Xbox has revealed the codename for its next generation hardware — Project Helix — a console designed to bridge the gap between Xbox and PC gaming ecosystems.
At the same time, reporting from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier suggests that PlayStation may be reconsidering its strategy of bringing major single-player games to PC, potentially returning to a stronger focus on console exclusivity.
We also discuss the launch of Bungie’s Marathon, one of Sony’s most important live-service releases following the company’s $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie.
Topics include:
• What Project Helix could mean for Xbox’s future • Whether Xbox is building a console-PC hybrid • Sony’s possible shift away from PC releases • The launch and early reactions to Marathon • The evolving battle between console exclusivity and platform ecosystems
Xbox says it’s a “Return to Xbox.” But what does that actually mean?
This week we break down Asha Sharma’s first interview as Xbox leadership shifts — and whether the brand is facing an identity crisis.
We discuss:
Hardware vs ecosystem strategy
What “form factor” could mean next-gen
Exclusivity confusion across Xbox and PlayStation
Bluepoint pitching a Bloodborne remake — and Sony saying no
Resident Evil Requiem’s massive review scores
Whether anyone in gaming actually knows where hardware is headed
If Xbox owns Call of Duty, Diablo, Fallout and Elder Scrolls… why doesn’t it feel like Xbox?
👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Xbox Leadership Shakeup: Phil Spencer Retires & Sarah Bond Exits | XEP 310
22/02/2026 | 1h 46 mins.
Phil Spencer retires after nearly 40 years at Microsoft. Sarah Bond exits Xbox leadership. Asha Sharma, an AI executive, takes over Microsoft Gaming.
In this episode, we break down the leadership shakeup, Spencer’s legacy, Bond’s sudden departure, and what an AI-driven executive signals for Xbox’s future. We examine the “Return of Xbox” messaging, monetization concerns, exclusives in 2026, Game Pass strategy, and the broader direction of console hardware.
Is this a recommitment to Xbox… or a corporate pivot?
We discuss:
Phil Spencer’s legacy (backward compatibility, Game Pass, major acquisitions)
Why Sarah Bond’s departure is more surprising than it appears
What an AI-driven executive signals about Xbox’s future
“The Future of Play” and new business models
Monetization concerns and development costs
The Steam Machine conversation and the future of console hardware
Whether exclusives still matter in 2026
👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Mat Piscatella on Gaming’s $60B Market, GTA 6, Hardware Shortages & Game Pass | XEP Interview
19/02/2026 | 56 mins.
Luke Lohr sits down with Circana’s Executive Director and video game industry analyst Mat Piscatella for a data-driven look at the state of gaming in 2026.
Despite U.S. video game spending approaching $61 billion, the industry feels unsettled. Piscatella explains why record revenue can coexist with market instability, why player growth has plateaued, and how attention is increasingly concentrated in a handful of live-service “black hole” titles.
The conversation explores:
• The impact of component and RAM shortages on console pricing and availability • Why subscription growth is now focused on revenue per user rather than user growth • Xbox hardware performance and Game Pass strategy • The growing divide between affluent and price-sensitive players • Why Grand Theft Auto VI could be critical to console momentum • Discoverability challenges and storefront power • Why CCU charts don’t tell the full story
👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 📅 Timestamps available on YouTube 💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Support XEP: Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
Live Service Collapse, State of Play Optics, and Industry Momentum | XEP 309
15/02/2026 | 1h 21 mins.
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. The discussion also looks at Xbox’s evolving strategy, the role of optics in platform perception, and what these trends mean for players across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Additional conversations cover early reactions to upcoming titles, Remedy’s Control universe, the risks and rewards of remasters and experimentation, and growing concerns around game preservation and long-term access to digital libraries.
👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 📅 Timestamps available on YouTube 💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Support XEP: Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass
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.
Ireland