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Xbox One's Catastrophic DRM Is The Reason It Can Now Offer Disc-To-Digital
Kotaku • • technology
Key Points:
- In 2013, Xbox introduced a unique serial number embedded in each disc to enable digital tracking, initially intended to support DRM and used game disc policies that were later scrapped due to backlash.
- This embedded tracking now allows Xbox users to convert physical game discs into digital copies that can be played without the disc, a feature Sony currently cannot replicate due to the lack of similar disc tracking.
- Some early Xbox One discs lack the tracking data, which explains why not all discs are compatible with the disc-to-digital conversion program.
- The timing of this feature’s rollout is notable as Sony plans to end physical PlayStation game production by 2028, highlighting a shift toward an all-digital gaming future.
- The move raises important questions about digital game ownership, access, and longevity, emphasizing the need for clearer policies and potential legislation as the industry transitions away from physical media.
