Hardware sales are down across the gaming industry, developers are pushing back on generative AI, and we take a clear-eyed look at Highguard’s launch — from its strong debut to its rapid drop-off.
On this episode of Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down what a late-generation slowdown actually means for consoles, why Xbox is increasingly judged by ecosystem reach rather than boxes sold, how tools like Project Genie are reshaping (and worrying) developers, and whether Highguard launched too early after its big-stage reveal.
We also share what we’ve been playing, including Dead by Daylight’s Stranger Things crossover.
👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 
🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV | Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 
🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 
💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Support XEP: 
Support the show on Patreon: <a href='https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass'>https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass</a>
Follow & Contact: 
BlueSky (Luke): @InsipidGhost 
BlueSky (Logun): @CaptLogun 
Contact: <a href='https://captlogun.podbean.com/'>https://captlogun.podbean.com</a>
Review the show: 
If you enjoy XEP, please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify — it’s one of the best ways to support the show. Thank you!

Hardware sales are down across the gaming industry, developers are pushing back on generative AI, and we take a clear-eyed look at Highguard’s launch — from its strong debut to its rapid drop-off. On this episode of Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down what a late-generation slowdown actually means for consoles, why Xbox is increasingly judged by ecosystem reach rather than boxes sold, how tools like Project Genie are reshaping (and worrying) developers, and whether Highguard launched too early after its big-stage reveal. We also share what we’ve been playing, including Dead by Daylight’s Stranger Things crossover. 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV | Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all. Support XEP: Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass Follow & Contact: BlueSky (Luke): @InsipidGhost BlueSky (Logun): @CaptLogun Contact: https://captlogun.podbean.com Review the show: If you enjoy XEP, please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify — it’s one of the best ways to support the show. Thank you!

Hardware sales are down across the gaming industry, developers are pushing back on generative AI, and we take a clear-eyed look at Highguard’s launch — from its strong debut to its rapid drop-off.
On this episode of Xbox Expansion Pass, we break down what a late-generation slowdown actually means for consoles, why Xbox is increasingly judged by ecosystem reach rather than boxes sold, how tools like Project Genie are reshaping (and worrying) developers, and whether Highguard launched too early after its big-stage reveal.
We also share what we’ve been playing, including Dead by Daylight’s Stranger Things crossover.
👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 
🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV | Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 
🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 
💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Support XEP: 
Support the show on Patreon:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass</a>
Follow &amp; Contact: 
BlueSky (Luke): @InsipidGhost 
BlueSky (Logun): @CaptLogun 
Contact:&nbsp;<a href="https://captlogun.podbean.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://captlogun.podbean.com</a>
Review the show: 
If you enjoy XEP, please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify — it’s one of the best ways to support the show. Thank you!&nbsp;

Hardware Sales Drop, AI Anxiety & Highguard’s Launch Reality Check | XEP 307

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
<ul>
<li>
Weekly Xbox and gaming industry news
</li>
<li>
Hands-on previews and spoiler-free reviews
</li>
<li>
Interviews with developers, journalists, and industry veterans
</li>
<li>
Coverage of Xbox hardware, Game Pass updates, studio strategies, and platform trends
</li>
<li>
Honest analysis grounded in experience, passion, and respect for players
</li>
</ul>
Why Listeners Come to XEP
<ul>
<li>
Clear takes
</li>
<li>
No console-war noise
</li>
<li>
Professional, insightful coverage
</li>
<li>
A welcoming community of gamers
</li>
<li>
Industry-level conversations accessible to everyone
</li>
</ul>
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.

Technology

Leisure

Video Games

Games

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.

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Hardware Sales Drop, AI Anxiety & Highguard’s Launch Reality Check | XEP 307

Hardware Sales Drop, AI Anxiety & Highguard’s Launch Reality Check | XEP 307

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