Fable Delay, Modern Warfare 4 & Steam Deck Price Increase | XP 323

Fable has reportedly been delayed into 2027, Modern Warfare 4 has been officially revealed, and Valve has dramatically increased Steam Deck OLED pricing. On this week's episode of The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and Freight Conductor break down what Fable's delay means for Xbox's release strategy, whether Steam Deck remains a compelling value proposition at nearly $1,000, and why Call of Duty's return to Nintendo platforms could be one of Microsoft's biggest long-term wins following the Activision acquisition. The team also discusses Play Anywhere, the future of gaming hardware, Xbox's upcoming Showcase, Summer Game Fest expectations, 007 First Light, Mina the Hollower, Fallout rumors, Star Wars hopes, Gears of War, Halo, and much more. Topics Include: • Fable delayed to 2027 • Modern Warfare 4 revealed • Call of Duty returns to Nintendo • Steam Deck OLED price increases • Xbox Ally X and handheld gaming • Xbox Showcase predictions • Summer Game Fest expectations • Play Anywhere and next-generation hardware • 007 First Light impressions • Mina the Hollower discussion • Fallout and Mass Effect hopes • Halo, Gears of War, and Forza Horizon 6 The Expansion Pass is a weekly gaming podcast covering Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, handheld gaming, and the industry trends shaping the future of gaming. Clear takes. No console-war noise. iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa

Are exclusives suddenly important again? This week on XP, Luke Lohr and Captain Logun break down Xbox fans demanding exclusives through the new Player Voice forums while PlayStation reportedly pulls back from PC releases entirely for major first-party titles. We also discuss: Forza Horizon 6 surpassing 6 million players Why FH6 may be Xbox’s best ecosystem argument yet Nintendo’s aggressive first-party strategy Destiny 2 winding down while Marathon struggles Whether Project Helix changes the future of console gaming Bungie’s uncertain future under PlayStation Game Pass vs PlayStation Plus 007 First Light impressions Splitgate 2 and Titanfall comparisons Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa #Xbox #PlayStation #ForzaHorizon6 #GamePass #GamingPodcast

Xbox may be preparing its next major hardware push. This week, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and Nintendo World Report’s John Rairdin discuss the leaked Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, Xbox cloud gaming controller rumors, and what Microsoft’s future hardware strategy may actually look like. We also break down the massive review scores for Forza Horizon 6, Valve’s new Steam Controller, PlayStation surfacing player count data, AMD’s FSR 4.1 tech, Xbox’s branding refresh, and Discord’s new Game Pass partnership. On the Nintendo side, we dive deep into Star Fox’s return on Switch 2, Nintendo’s remake strategy, Metroid Prime 4, Zelda remake rumors, Star Fox Adventures, Assault, and whether Nintendo is finally ready to treat Star Fox like a major franchise again. Topics include: • Xbox Elite Controller 3 leaks • Xbox cloud controller rumors • Forza Horizon 6 review scores • Steam Controller impressions • Star Fox Switch 2 reactions • Metroid Prime 4 discussion • Nintendo remake strategy • AMD FSR 4.1 & Xbox Series X • Doom: The Dark Ages DLC • Lego Batman & 007 First Light • Xbox Game Pass + Discord Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 📺 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 💬 We read every comment

Nintendo has officially raised the Switch 2 price to $500 — and at nearly the same time, brought Star Fox back to center stage. This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and special guest Joseph Moran (Mr. BadBit from The Trophy Room: A PlayStation Podcast) break down Nintendo’s pricing strategy, the return of Star Fox, Sony’s massive Bungie write-down, Marathon’s future, and Xbox canceling Copilot for Gaming under Asha Sharma. Topics include: 🎮 Nintendo Switch 2 price increase 🦊 Star Fox returns on Switch 2 💰 Sony writes down roughly $767 million tied to Bungie 🏃 Marathon player counts, discourse, and live service pressure 🧠 Xbox cancels Copilot for Gaming 🎙 SGF discussion and gaming industry analysis The team also debates whether Marathon can recover long term, why Nintendo may still succeed despite rising hardware prices, and whether Star Fox’s reboot is the right move for the franchise. 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa

Xbox earnings are down as Asha Sharma begins resetting the brand, raising questions about hardware, Game Pass growth, and long-term strategy. We break down the latest Xbox revenue numbers, what they mean for the future of the platform, and whether exclusives need to return to strengthen the brand. We also cover Sony’s response to PlayStation DRM concerns, what “digital ownership” actually means, and why the backlash matters more than the feature itself. Plus, Valve Corporation re-enters the hardware conversation with the new Steam Controller, raising bigger questions about the Steam Machine and whether something like Half-Life 3 is needed to drive adoption. Finally, we look at Nintendo’s growing Switch 2 lineup, including Splatoon Raiders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and new Star Fox rumors.

Xbox has officially hit reset—and this time, they’re saying it out loud. In a rare internal memo, leadership under Asha Sharma acknowledges what many players have been feeling: the experience hasn’t been good enough. Pricing, updates, and platform identity are all under review—and Game Pass is already seeing major changes. At the same time, Valve is quietly preparing a return to hardware. A new Steam Controller looks ready to launch, while larger ambitions like Steam Machine and Steam Frame face delays. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues executing with confidence, rolling out Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book without the same identity struggles seen elsewhere. Also this week: Diablo: Lord of Hatred impressions and early reviews Resident Evil Requiem sales milestone Assassin’s Creed Black Flag returns What all of this means for the future of gaming platforms This episode explores a simple question: 👉 Are platforms finally correcting course—or just reacting? 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 📅 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube

This week on The Expansion Pass, we’re breaking down one of the most important shifts happening in gaming right now. Is Xbox Game Pass becoming too expensive? New data shows subscription spending is rising fast—but Xbox leadership is already signaling concern about pricing and long-term value. Meanwhile, PlayStation continues its steady approach with PS Plus, and Nintendo’s Switch 2 is helping drive major hardware growth. We also dive into Metro 2039’s reveal and how real-world events are shaping its story in a major way. 🎯 Topics include: Game Pass pricing concerns and future direction PS5 vs Switch 2 (Circana data breakdown) Metro 2039 reveal and thematic shift PlayStation Plus April lineup Rockstar security concerns ahead of GTA VI 🎮 Also discussed: Fur Squadron Phoenix impressions Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Pragmata gameplay thoughts Windrose preview 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 📅 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube

To celebrate 25 years of Xbox, we’re joined by Seamus Blackley — widely known as the father of Xbox. In this episode, we revisit the creation of the original Xbox, the risks it took to break into the industry, and how those early decisions shaped modern gaming. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. We dive into the growing role of AI in game development, how it could reshape creativity, production, and player experiences, and whether the industry is prepared for what’s coming next. From cloud gaming and shifting business models to the balance between innovation and financial pressure, this is a wide-ranging discussion on where gaming is headed—and what it may lose along the way.

Xbox didn’t start as a sure thing—and according to Ed Fries, it almost didn’t happen at all. In this episode, we’re joined by Ed Fries, former Vice President of Microsoft Game Studios and one of the key figures behind the original Xbox, as he reflects on 25 years of Xbox, the risks it took to get off the ground, and how the industry has changed since. We discuss: Why Xbox was such an unlikely bet inside Microsoft The moment it finally felt real How Halo helped define the platform What Xbox got right—and what it missed Why the “gaming is dying” narrative doesn’t hold up Where the industry is actually growing How AI is already changing game development Ed also shares his perspective on modern Xbox leadership, the shift from console to platform, and what the future of gaming may look like. If you’re interested in how Xbox was built—and where the industry may be heading, check this out. 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise. 🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV | Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube

Xbox has officially locked in its biggest moment of the year — and it could define the future of the platform. This week, we break down the confirmed Xbox Games Showcase and the full Gears of War: E-Day Direct, what it means for Xbox’s identity moving forward, and why this feels like a true turning point. We also dive into a long-awaited update on State of Decay 3, including its alpha rollout and what it signals about Xbox’s first-party pipeline. But the biggest story may be happening behind the scenes — a growing RAM shortage driven by AI demand that could impact console pricing, handheld gaming, and the entire industry. Plus: PlayStation’s current strategy and recent decisions Sony’s AI direction and what it means for studios Nintendo’s quiet positioning and the future of Switch This isn’t just a news week — it’s a snapshot of where gaming is heading next.