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318 episodes

Andrew Hulshult Interview | DOOM, Iron Lung, DUSK & The Dark Ages Story
28/07/2026 | 49 mins.
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 Gets a Release Date, Halo Campaign Evolved Reviews & Steam Machine | XP 330
26/07/2026 | 1h 47 mins.
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.

In this episode:

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.
Is Bethesda Finally Getting It Right? Fallout 5, Switch 2 & Gaming's Next Generation | XP 329
19/07/2026 | 1h 31 mins.
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.

This Week's Topics
• 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's New Strategy, PlayStation's Physical Future & Black Flag | XP 328
12/07/2026 | 2h 10 mins.
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
PlayStation Ends Physical Games, Xbox's Future & Nintendo's Moves | XP 327
05/07/2026 | 1h 48 mins.
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.

In this episode:

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.

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About The Expansion Pass

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.

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