AI Generated Image
Report Xbox Disc-to-Digital Feature in Testing, Microsoft "Likely" to Stop Disc Production Too
Digital Foundry • • general
Key Points:
- Xbox is testing a disc-to-digital entitlement program for Xbox Series and Xbox One games, allowing physical discs to be converted into digital licenses tied to users' accounts for disc-free play.
- The digital entitlement transfers to new users if the physical disc is sold or loaned, encouraging players to keep discs they want to retain while enabling resale or sharing.
- Original Xbox and Xbox 360 discs, though backward compatible on Xbox Series X/S, will not be supported by this program due to manufacturing limitations.
- The feature integrates with Xbox PC and Xbox Cloud Gaming, permitting digital play on PC and streaming to other devices with an active Game Pass subscription.
- This move aligns with industry trends toward digital gaming, following Sony’s announcement to cease physical PlayStation game production by 2028, while consumer preference still leans toward consoles supporting disc drives.
