Xbox is making major changes to backward compatibility, Achievements, game preservation, and the overall Xbox experience — while Gears of War: E-Day may be shaping up to be something special.

This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Xbox’s expanding backward compatibility plans, including what they could mean for original Xbox and Xbox 360 games across console and PC. We also discuss the latest Achievement updates, Xbox’s renewed focus on its existing community, physical game preservation, and where the platform may be heading next.

Then we get into our hands-on impressions of the Gears of War: E-Day beta. Horde Siege has us impressed, but can The Coalition convince players outside the existing Gears audience to give E-Day a chance?

Plus, QuakeCon 2026 delivers new Quake content, Grounded 2 prepares to head Into the Abyss, Nintendo shows more Fire Emblem, Ghost Recon Wildlands gets a substantial update nine years after launch, and Luke has a warning for anyone considering Jotunnslayer on Nintendo Switch 2.

Topics include:

• Xbox backward compatibility and game preservation
• Xbox Achievement updates
• The future of the Xbox ecosystem
• Gears of War: E-Day beta impressions
• Horde Siege and the evolution of Gears
• QuakeCon 2026 and Quake: Dawn of the Machine
• Grounded 2: Into the Abyss
• Fire Emblem and Nintendo Switch 2
• Ghost Recon Wildlands’ new update
• Jotunnslayer on Switch 2

The Expansion Pass delivers thoughtful gaming discussion without the console-war noise.

One of the biggest Xbox releases of the year is almost here, and Jampack Sam joins us after going hands-on with Gears of War: E-Day.

We break down everything he learned from the multiplayer preview, including Horde Siege, weapon customization, PvP, classes, progression, and whether The Coalition has found the right balance between classic Gears and modern gameplay.

We also dive into Microsoft's latest earnings report and Asha Sharma's long-term roadmap for Xbox. What do the company's priorities mean for consoles, Game Pass, Minecraft, TV adaptations, and the future of Project Helix?

Finally, Sony has responded to concerns over its move away from physical media. Is an all-digital PlayStation inevitable? What does that mean for collectors, ownership, and the next generation of consoles?

• Jampack Sam's Gears of War: E-Day hands-on impressions
• Horde Siege, PvP, progression, and launch expectations
• Xbox's long-term strategy after Microsoft's earnings report
• Console exclusives, Project Helix, and Xbox's future direction
• Sony addresses the end of physical media
• Why digital ownership remains one of gaming's biggest debates

If you enjoy thoughtful gaming conversations without the console-war noise, subscribe and leave us a rating—it helps more people discover the show.

🎧 Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2OL6SSV
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New episodes every week.

Andrew Hulshult has become one of the defining composers of modern FPS games, with credits including DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods, DOOM + DOOM II, DUSK, Prodeus, Heretic + Hexen, Quake Champions, and more.

In this exclusive interview, Andrew joins The Expansion Pass to discuss his journey from learning guitar through Napster to becoming one of gaming's most recognizable composers. We explore how the fan-favorite IDKFA soundtrack became official DOOM content, the pressure of following legendary composers Bobby Prince and Mick Gordon, and the incredible story behind choosing to score Iron Lung instead of pursuing what became DOOM: The Dark Ages.

We also discuss:

• How Andrew got started in music
• The origins of IDKFA
• Working with id Software
• DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods
• DUSK and the rise of New Blood Interactive
• Steam Deck and favorite games
• Composing under impossible deadlines
• Indie vs. AAA development
• Dream franchises he'd still love to score
• Upcoming projects

Whether you're a fan of DOOM, retro FPS games, game music, or simply enjoy hearing from the developers shaping the industry, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Thank you for listening to The Expansion Pass. If you enjoyed the interview, please consider following the show and leaving a review—it helps us continue bringing conversations like this to the community.

God of War: Laufey officially launches in February 2027, Halo Campaign Evolved and Splatoon Raiders earn strong critical reviews, and this week we're joined by Jefftroidvania to discuss Valve's new Steam Machine and the future of SteamOS.

On Episode 330 of The Expansion Pass, we break down one of gaming's biggest upcoming release windows, compare Halo Campaign Evolved and Splatoon Raiders review scores, discuss Nintendo's next Switch 2 exclusives, examine Xbox's expanding backward compatibility initiative, and dive into what Valve's newest hardware could mean for PC gaming.

• God of War: Laufey's February 2027 release date
• Halo Campaign Evolved review roundup and our impressions
• Splatoon Raiders review roundup
• Xbox backward compatibility expands to PC
• Steam Machine hands-on with special guest Jefftroidvania
• Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 roadmap
• Wolverine impressions
• Community questions and what we're playing

If you enjoy thoughtful gaming discussions without the console-war noise, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review—it helps more gamers discover the show.

Bethesda finally pulled back the curtain on what's next.

This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Todd Howard's biggest interview in years, including new details on Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls VI, Starfield, and Obsidian's return to the Fallout universe. They discuss what Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters could mean for longtime fans and whether Bethesda's new multi-studio strategy can solve its lengthy development cycles.

The conversation also explores Nintendo Switch 2's early sales, the rising cost of gaming hardware, whether the Xbox Ally X is worth its premium price, and why compelling software—not raw power—still determines the success of a console generation.

• Fallout 5 enters production
• Obsidian returns to Fallout
• Fallout 3 & New Vegas remasters
• The Elder Scrolls VI update
• Starfield's future at Bethesda
• Nintendo Switch 2 sales analysis
• Xbox Ally X impressions
• Why gaming hardware keeps getting more expensive
• Halo Campaign Evolved preview discussion

The Expansion Pass delivers thoughtful discussions on gaming without the console-war noise.

Xbox is finally revealing what comes after its historic restructuring.

Luke and Logan break down Bloomberg's report that Obsidian is shifting toward Fallout, what that means for Xbox's renewed focus on pillar franchises, and whether Asha Sharma's strategy gives Xbox its clearest direction in years.

They also discuss Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's strong critical reception, PlayStation's continued physical media controversy, the EU's response, Logan's new Xbox ROG Ally X, and why Division 2 has become the latest obsession.

00:00 Intro
00:55 What We're Playing
04:10 Logan's Xbox ROG Ally X
19:12 Division 2 Has Us Hooked
33:00 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Review
52:45 Xbox's New Strategy Explained
1:26:30 PlayStation's Physical Media Backlash
1:46:00 Nintendo, Consumer Rights & What's Next

One announcement dominated the gaming industry this week: PlayStation is ending physical game releases beginning in 2028. Is this the inevitable future of gaming, or should players be worried about ownership, preservation, pricing, and consumer rights?

Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Sony's historic decision, what it means for the PlayStation 6, why digital ownership still lacks meaningful protections, and whether Xbox's reported disc-to-digital initiatives could offer a better path forward.

The conversation also explores Microsoft's ongoing restructuring, the future of Xbox's biggest franchises, why Nintendo suddenly looks far more consumer-friendly than many expected, the latest Metroid rumors, Grounded 2 impressions, and much more.

• Sony announces the end of physical PlayStation games
• Why digital ownership needs stronger consumer protections
• Xbox restructuring and what comes next
• Could Xbox solve physical-to-digital better than Sony?
• Nintendo's Game-Key Card strategy revisited
• Metroid Ravenous leak discussion
• Grounded 2 continues to impress
• Blade, Spider-Man, and what actually sells consoles
• What we're playing this week

If you enjoy thoughtful gaming discussions without the console war noise, subscribe, leave a review, and join us every week on The Expansion Pass.

This week on The Expansion Pass, we're tackling one of the biggest questions facing the gaming industry: is gaming becoming too expensive?

Microsoft has announced significant Xbox console price increases, Grand Theft Auto VI is launching at $80, and Nintendo's Switch 2 continues to post impressive early sales despite rising hardware costs. We discuss what these changes mean for players, whether premium pricing is becoming the new normal, and how publishers are adapting to an increasingly expensive market.

We also share our impressions of Star Fox and 007 First Light, discuss the surprising value proposition of the Steam Machine, examine Bungie's latest layoffs and Marathon's uncertain future, and look at why Nintendo's first-party strategy continues to drive hardware sales.

• Xbox console price increases explained
• GTA VI's $80 launch price
• Switch 2 sales momentum
• Steam Machine pricing reactions
• Star Fox review impressions
• 007 First Light impressions
• Bungie layoffs & Marathon
• Nintendo's first-party strategy
• What we've been playing

If you enjoy thoughtful gaming discussions without the console war noise, subscribe to The Expansion Pass on your favorite podcast platform and join us live each week on YouTube.

Xbox appears headed toward a major strategic shift, and we're breaking down what it could mean for Game Pass, first-party studios, and the future of the platform.

Captain Logan is joined by Mr. Bad Bit of The Trophy Room and Daddy Dwally of The Nerd Chat to discuss reports surrounding Xbox studio restructuring, Game Pass concerns, Halo: Campaign Evolved's PlayStation Plus controversy, and Sony's growing Bungie problem.

We also dive into Marathon, Destiny 3, AI in game development, rising AAA budgets, and whether platform holders are finally being forced to rethink how games are funded and released.

In the second half, we share what we've been playing, including 007 First Light, Pragmata, Astro Bot, Forza Horizon 6, and more before revealing our favorite games from Summer Game Fest 2026.

• Xbox layoffs and studio closures
• The future of Game Pass
• Halo: Campaign Evolved on PS5
• PlayStation Plus local co-op controversy
• Bungie, Marathon, and Destiny 3
• Sony's live-service struggles
• AI tools in game development
• Rising AAA development costs
• 007 First Light impressions
• Pragmata impressions
• Summer Game Fest 2026 highlights
• Tomb Raider
• Alien Isolation 2
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword

00:00 Intro & Guest Introductions
03:29 Xbox Layoffs, Studio Closures & The Future of Game Pass
34:30 Halo: Campaign Evolved, PS+, and the Local Co-op Controversy
42:23 Bungie, Marathon, Destiny 3 & Sony's Studio Problems
59:00 AAA Budgets, AI Tools, and Industry Sustainability
1:03:33 What We've Been Playing
1:18:56 Best Games of Summer Game Fest 2026
1:27:39 Final Thoughts & Guest Plugs

🎧 Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2OL6SSV
🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa
💬 Join the conversation and let us know: Is Xbox making the right moves, or are they cutting too much too late?

Summer Game Fest 2026 is in the books, and we're breaking down everything we saw in Los Angeles.

This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke and Logan discuss the biggest announcements from Summer Game Fest, Xbox Showcase, PlayStation State of Play, and Nintendo Direct. From Resident Evil Veronica and The Last Ronin to Grounded 2, Wolf Among Us 2, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword, we rank the showcases and debate which company had the strongest presentation.

We also dive into the future of Xbox. With reports of restructuring, growing discussions around exclusivity, Game Pass, first-party priorities, and Asha Sharma's leadership direction, what should Xbox look like over the next decade?

Plus:

• Resident Evil Veronica impressions
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword preview
• Summer Game Fest showcase rankings
• Xbox exclusivity strategy
• Halo and Xbox's future
• Game Pass value in 2026
• Nintendo Direct reactions
• Nintendo Switch 2 pricing discussion
• Community questions

Clear takes. No console-war noise.

The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 has come and gone, and we were there in person to see it unfold.

This week, Luke and Captain Logun break down Xbox's biggest announcements, including Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Fable, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, State of Decay 3, Clockwork Revolution, Persona 6, and more. We also discuss the atmosphere inside the theater, reactions from attendees, Xbox FanFest, and whether Xbox finally delivered on its promise to "Return to Xbox."

Topics include:

• Gears of War: E-Day gameplay and October release plans
• Halo: Campaign Evolved's visual overhaul and new missions
• Why Fable finally won us over
• Spyro's return after years away
• Clockwork Revolution's growing momentum
• State of Decay 3 gameplay impressions
• Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6 on Xbox
• Xbox's 25th Anniversary hardware reveal
• FanFest experiences and meeting Xbox leadership
• Is Xbox finally building momentum again?

🎮 Clear takes. No console-war noise.