Xbox is reportedly considering dropping disc drives as it tests new feature that lets players digitize physical games - GamesIndustry.biz

Digital entitlement will be revoked if the game is shared or sold Image credit: Microsoft News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on July 1, 2026 Follow Microsoft A new report now claims Xbox, like PlayStation, is set to "drop the disc drive." Earlier today, Sony confirmed plans to discontinue physical discs for new games launching on PS consoles from January 2028, intimating that its next console could ship without a disc drive. Additional reporting by Windows Central now claims that Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, could similarly ship without a disc drive. Further reporting by The Verge has also picked up rumors from earlier in the year suggesting Xbox has been testing a new feature that would permit players to digitize their existing physical game collections, enabling them to remain playable on disc-less devices. The discs will reportedly still work once they've been digitized, and while it's thought access to the digital version will be revoked if you loan or sell the disc to someone else, the precise permissions and how the feature will work are still unclear. Crucially, it's suggested that this will only apply to select Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games, leaving some original Xbox and Xbox 360 games unplayable. Both PlayStation and Xbox have released digital-only versions of their consoles to reduce costs. Last year, Nintendo introduced Game-Key Cards, physical download-only copies of select titles. Rockstar also announced that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch as a download-only title this November.