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Gamespot
Next-Gen Xbox May Not Have Disc Drive, Disc-To-Digital Feature Coming, Reports Say
Recent reports indicate that Microsoft's upcoming Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may not include a disc drive. This aligns with industry trends as digital game sales outpace physical sales. Additionally, a disc-to-digital feature is purportedly in testing, allowing users to convert physical copies of Xbox One and Series X|S games into digital formats. However, not all discs will be eligible, and the feature's rollout reflects a significant shift in console gaming towards digital ownership.
MonitorConfidence: MediumShort term horizon
Published 1 Jul 2026, 19:55 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Project Helix may not have a disc drive, echoing Sony's direction.
- A disc-to-digital feature is reportedly being tested by Xbox.
- Conversion will not support Xbox 360 or original Xbox discs.
- Physical discs will remain functional after digitization.
- Increasing digital sales continuing to drive industry changes.
Interesting facts
- Microsoft has considered disc-less consoles for over a decade.
- Digital game sales are at an all-time high across major publishers.
- Not all existing physical discs will be supported for conversion.