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

A new report now claims Xbox, like PlayStation, is set to "drop the disc drive."

Sony's decision to discontinue physical discs for new games launching on PS consoles from January 2028 has sparked rumors about Xbox's plans. According to a report by GamesIndustry.biz, Xbox is testing a new feature that lets players digitize physical games, which could potentially lead to the removal of disc drives from their consoles. This move would align with the industry's shift towards digital game distribution, with digital game sales accounting for 74% of the total game market in 2022. The report also mentions that Xbox's next console could ship without a disc drive, similar to Sony's plans.

The potential removal of disc drives from Xbox consoles would directly affect gamers who rely on physical game copies, as they would need to adapt to digital game distribution. This change could also impact the used game market, with gamers no longer able to sell or trade physical copies of games. The shift to digital game distribution would also change the way gamers purchase and play games, with potential implications for game ownership and accessibility. This could lead to a significant change in the gaming industry's business model.

The move towards digital game distribution is not new, with companies like Steam and Epic Games already dominating the PC gaming market with their digital storefronts. The rise of cloud gaming services like Google Stadia and Microsoft's xCloud has also contributed to the decline of physical game sales. Insiders know that the cost of manufacturing and distributing physical games is significant, and the shift to digital distribution could help companies like Xbox and Sony reduce costs and increase profit margins. This trend is part of a larger shift in the entertainment industry towards digital distribution.

In the coming weeks, gamers should watch for official announcements from Xbox regarding their plans for physical game distribution. A decision on the fate of disc drives in Xbox consoles is expected to be made by the end of the year, with potential implications for the gaming industry as a whole. Interestingly, Microsoft has filed patents for a disc-less console as early as 2018, suggesting that the company has been considering this move for some time. The success of Xbox's digital game distribution platform, the Microsoft Store, will be a key indicator of the company's ability to make a disc-less console a reality.