Tuesday, September 22nd 2026
Microsoft Surveys Insiders About Physical Discs for Next-Gen Xbox Console
Microsoft is reportedly surveying gamers about the importance of physical disc media for its next-generation Xbox console. According to findings from Power Up Gaming, Microsoft is conducting this survey through the Xbox Insider Hub application, where a select group of Xbox Insiders are asked about their stance on various topics. Microsoft will later use this feedback to analyze and make decisions. One question asks whether the console should allow users to install games from physical discs, with response options including "Not Necessary," "Nice to Have," and "Must Have."
Considering that Microsoft recently launched its disc-to-digital program, an initiative to promote a digital-only future for Xbox consoles, the viability of physical media is now up for debate. With disc-to-digital, players can insert their game discs into the console to convert them into digital licenses. When the disc is scanned, Microsoft uses the unique key to create a digital license, which prevents the disc from being activated on third-party consoles and stops it from being rented, borrowed, or sold to others.
Just a few weeks ago, Microsoft claimed that the Xbox Disc to Digital program is part of its "broader commitment to game preservation." The program essentially serves as a test run for the Helix console, which is expected to launch with full backward compatibility, despite not having a physical disc drive. Ubisoft has recently joined the program quietly. However, for companies like Sony, physical discs still drive a significant portion of revenue for exclusive titles. Therefore, Microsoft's survey might be about including physical disc media in Project Helix, or at least in some versions of it.
Source:
Power Up Gaming
Considering that Microsoft recently launched its disc-to-digital program, an initiative to promote a digital-only future for Xbox consoles, the viability of physical media is now up for debate. With disc-to-digital, players can insert their game discs into the console to convert them into digital licenses. When the disc is scanned, Microsoft uses the unique key to create a digital license, which prevents the disc from being activated on third-party consoles and stops it from being rented, borrowed, or sold to others.
19 Comments on Microsoft Surveys Insiders About Physical Discs for Next-Gen Xbox Console
from an economic standpoint, a physical medium must absolutely be avoided and has had to be for quite some time.
Regards,
Fred
It’s a PC with PC hardware, focus on banning online cheaters and sell subscriptions to those who want digital access to libraries of older games, or to those who want to host a private server offsite.
There is absolutely a way to make money and to sell a console at cost and to keep the cost low.
There are always first day patches and more updates later on, so it's not like you can use the disc and play like 20 years ago.
I suspect the nintendo switch, but else?
Probably only selected alpha insiders.
This is one of the reasons why not many publishers opt for Switch 2 cartridges, they are insanely expensive to make even in non flash shortage scenarios.
That said if they can make it at affordable price, physical collectors won't have an issue. It's not about disks per say as much as it's about relying on having the data locally and not having the game license tied to an account.Most games work and are playable on disk on release. Not relying on account link (digital games) or servers (digital games, and game key cards on NS2) is a big plus.Nintendo first party games don't require installs (other than Pokemon, which they do not fully own). They're playable directly from media.
Star Wars Outlaws £21.85 physical and £69.99 digital.
Blood of dawnwalker is £52 physical and £59.99 digital.
Outer worlds 2 is £44 physical and £59.99 digital.
Pragmata £43 physical and £49.99 digital.
Resident Evil Requiem £44.95 physical and £64.99 digital.
Lego Batman legacy of the Dark Knight £44.99 physical and £59.99 digital.
Ghost of Tsushima directors cut £34.95 physical and £59.99 digital.
Baldurs gate 3 £52.19 physical and £57.99 digital.
Street Fighter 6 £21 physical and £34.99 digital.
Fable £54.99 physical and £59.99 digital.
Silent Hill F £59.99 physical and £69.99 digital.
Metal Gear Solid master collection vol 2 £42.99 physical and £44.99 digital
Ghost of Yotei £54.83 physical and £69.99 digital
If you were to buy all of these games you would pay £612.78 for physical and £842.85 for digital
Its been a month since I checked these prices so they may have changed but the point still stands
When they get rid of physical discs then the ONLY place to buy a playstation game is through their store at whatever price they decide. There will be no more price competition and the savings they get from not printing discs and shipping to stores will not get passes on to the customer
They are also testing out dynamic pricing where they will be able to charge different people different prices. So if they think they will be able to get a bit more mkney from you they will charge you more
So, doesn't that depend on where or when you buy it?
Like the stuff on the PS5 store might be MSRP and other places have it for cheaper? Though in this case, the Playstation store has a sale for Assassin's creed
That's usually how it works... (I don't shop for PS5/Xbox games)
When the physical price drops it stays there as they want rid of the older games so they have space for the newer ones
Thats not a problem for digital
Also digital should be cheaper anyway as they have no production cost for printing discs or storage and delivery costs but they kept the prices the same.
I get the convenience of digital but the prices are a rip off
I also rechecked the prices. On amazon AC Shadows is £39.99 and the UK PS store its £69.99 and on the Irish store where I would buy digital games its €79.99
You can see why I would not want the end of physical games as an option