The Expansion Pass
The Expansion Pass
The Expansion Pass
Xbox Studio Closures, Bungie Trouble & Summer Game Fest Favorites | XP 326
1 hour 30 minutes Posted Jun 22, 2026 at 12:20 am.
Intro & Guest Introductions03:29 Xbox Layoffs, Studio Closures & The Future of Game Pass34:30 Halo: Campaign Evolved, PS+, and the Local Co-op Controversy42:23 Bungie, Marathon, Destiny 3 & Sony's Studio Problems59:00 AAA Budgets, AI Tools, and Industry Sustainability1:03:33 What We've Been Playing1:18:56 Best Games of Summer Game Fest 20261:27:39 Final Thoughts & Guest Plugs
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Show notes
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.
Topics Included:
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
Time Codes
🎧 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?