Xbox is testing a disc-to-digital program for Xbox One and Xbox Series X titles, according to The Verge. This initiative follows Sony’s announcement to discontinue PlayStation game discs. The program is not expected to include games from the original Xbox or Xbox 360, and it may not support all Xbox One titles.
The disc-to-digital approach will allow players to bond a digital version of a game to its physical disc. Players will not need to keep the disc in their Xbox to play the game. If a disc is inserted in another Xbox, the digital copy will transfer to the account linked to that system. This feature aims to prevent the sharing of a single physical disc for simultaneous gameplay.
Players will still have the option to trade in their physical games despite the new program. Additionally, compatible games can be streamed via Xbox Cloud Gaming for Game Pass members. The program is also expected to support Xbox Play Anywhere for PC and handheld devices.
An official announcement regarding the disc-to-digital program may not come soon, especially with anticipated mass layoffs within the company. The Verge speculates that an announcement could occur in the coming months. Currently, Xbox Series X/S systems support backward compatibility for all Xbox One games, excluding those that require Kinect.
The disc-to-digital program aims to ensure that Xbox owners can access physical game purchases on future hardware and may also help mitigate issues like disc rot. It remains unclear whether the next Xbox, known as Project Helix, will include a disc drive. The Xbox Series S has no disc drive, and the Series X has an all-digital version.
Xbox is considering an all-digital future similar to PlayStation’s approach, although an official announcement is not expected soon due to current player concerns. The company is likely navigating a challenging period as it prepares for internal restructuring.
