This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, the conversation centers on how quickly the gaming industry is shifting — and what that means for hardware, platforms, and players.

A Nintendo Direct packed with Xbox-adjacent announcements signals just how normalized multi-platform publishing has become. At the same time, new data shows hardware sales continuing to slide across the industry, even as engagement and monthly active users remain strong.

The discussion also digs into the Epic Games Store’s record year, what multiple storefronts could mean for future Xbox hardware, and why competition — not exclusivity — may be the defining force of the next generation.

Additional topics include:

• Xbox titles becoming expected on Nintendo platforms

• Why engagement now matters more than boxes sold

• The risks and rewards of pricing games at $70+

• Live-service optics vs actual game quality

• What a Windows-based future could mean for consoles

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