Starfield Hits PS5 — What It Means for Xbox + Crimson Desert Reactions | XEP 314
From The Expansion Pass by The Expansion Pass
March 22, 2026 · 1h 49m · Episode 363
About this episode
The episode discusses the implications of Starfield's release on PS5 for Xbox and explores early reactions to Crimson Desert.
This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, we’re tackling one of the biggest shifts in Xbox’s modern era. Starfield is coming to PlayStation 5 on April 7—launching alongside its largest update yet (Free Lanes) and the paid Terran Armada DLC. We break down pricing, Game Pass differences, what’s included, and the bigger question:what does this mean for Xbox as a platform going forward? We also dive into Crimson Desert, now live with massive player numbers but mixed early impressions. Is this the next big open-world hit—or a game players are struggling to connect with? From there, we zoom out into the bigger picture: The rising cost of gaming hardware and subscriptions Game Pass pricing, value, and where the ceiling might be Project Helix and Xbox’s future across console, PC, and handheld New industry insights from Jeff Kaplan on Blizzard leadership Why new IP like Crimson Desert faces such a steep uphill climb This is a big-picture episode—less about headlines, more about where the industry is heading and how Xbox fits into it. 👉 Clear takes. No console-war noise.🎧 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube💬 Share your thoughts — we read them all.
Topics covered
- Starfield
- PS5
- Xbox
- Crimson Desert
- gaming hardware
- Game Pass
- Project Helix
- Blizzard leadership
- new IP
Keywords
- gaming industry
- Xbox Expansion Pass
- console gaming
- open-world games
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Starfield, PS5, Xbox Expansion Pass, PlayStation 5, Free Lanes, Terran Armada, Game Pass, Crimson Desert, Project Helix, Xbox
Books & works: Crimson Desert
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- Xbox Showcase Returns, Gears E-Day Leads, RAM Crisis Hits Gaming | XEP 316 · April 4, 2026 · 1h 38m
- Xbox Is a “Pain” for Developers? Dave Oshry on Console Struggles | XP Interview · April 2, 2026 · 1h 8m
- PS5 Hits $649, Xbox Scrambles, Game Pass Changes Are Coming | XP 315 · March 29, 2026 · 1h 47m
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