{"id":14151,"date":"2026-05-21T03:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/the-next-xbox-may-ditch-the-disc-drive-but-gamers-seem-ready-for-disc-to-digital-if-its-real\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T07:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T14:36:12","slug":"the-next-xbox-may-ditch-the-disc-drive-but-gamers-seem-ready-for-disc-to-digital-if-its-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/the-next-xbox-may-ditch-the-disc-drive-but-gamers-seem-ready-for-disc-to-digital-if-its-real\/","title":{"rendered":"The next Xbox may ditch the disc drive, but gamers seem ready for disc-to-digital \u2014 if it&#8217;s real"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-b76fe5bf-7975-41e2-b1da-d021d0710411\">The next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, is currently surrounded by questions. We have an idea of \u200b\u200bhow the console-PC hybrid will work, but confirmed details are scarce. One question is how the next Xbox will handle physical games.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a good chance that the next Xbox won&#8217;t have a disc drive, although that hasn&#8217;t been officially confirmed yet. If so, Microsoft will need to find a way to make discs from previous consoles playable on the next Xbox.<\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-b76fe5bf-7975-41e2-b1da-d021d0710411-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Microsoft has promoted backwards compatibility for several console generations. Leaving behind players with virtual game libraries can be very different from that multi-year effort.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><\/p>\n<p>            You might like it<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Microsoft may support external disk drives instead. PlayStation does this, and since Project Helix is \u200b\u200bessentially a gaming PC, external USB disc drive support is possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Whether or not the next Xbox supports discs may not matter to many if the disc-to-digital system comes out. A survey in our section covering the program shows an interest in converting discs, at least among our readers.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-2fbdd617-bc18-426a-b487-4fdf923c76e5\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1920px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6N5AefofcPMedbcy5tPcSS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6N5AefofcPMedbcy5tPcSS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6N5AefofcPMedbcy5tPcSS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6N5AefofcPMedbcy5tPcSS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6N5AefofcPMedbcy5tPcSS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6N5AefofcPMedbcy5tPcSS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">We&#8217;ve been collecting Xbox discs for 25 years, so disc-to-digital would be huge. <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Photo credit: Jennifer Young &#8211; Windows Central)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-106fe6a7-beea-4355-bc8a-17243b769202\">Out of nearly 800 votes, a combined 79% of participants expressed interest in the idea.<\/p>\n<p>42% of voters said &#8220;Yes&#8221; when asked if they would replace their discs. Another 37% said &#8220;Maybe&#8221; while noting that they would need to learn more about how the system works.<\/p>\n<p>15% of voters said they would not convert their discs to digital licenses. Another 7% said they don&#8217;t own Xbox discs.<\/p>\n<p>I remember when Microsoft first mentioned the possibility of a disc-to-digital system. At the time, many were outraged by this idea and fought passionately for the importance of virtual media.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s interesting to see how opinions change over time. Many get upset when laptops ditch disc drives. Laptop makers can be laughed at now for including a disk drive, except for the worst categories.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><\/p>\n<p>            What you can read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-84a8353e-c6ad-4fae-b609-3ee0aede1d6d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:960px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-960-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-960-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-960-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg.jpg\" alt=\"The Project Helix logo is displayed on a black background with glowing white futuristic text and a subtle cyan light effect.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-960-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-960-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-960-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QKZHxL3RCR8bnCGZd8suXg.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline expandable\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The next Xbox, called Project Helix, is actually a gaming PC. <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Microsoft)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-84c13186-40c1-4aef-b69a-6745f3679652\">On the Windows Central subreddit, gamers are sharing their thoughts about the potential disc-to-digital system.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s cool,&#8221; said Reddit user LionAlhazred. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been fully digital for many years now because I play on Xbox, PC, and mobile PCs. A program that allows you to convert mobile games to digital licenses would be great for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Comment on our original post by <em>fatpunkslim <\/em>make a disc conversion case:<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;It&#8217;s a good idea to be able to convert physical games to digital versions for the simple reason that they&#8217;re easy to use and because physical media also have a limited lifespan. Depending on how well you take care of your discs (scratches, exposure to light), a disc may become obsolete after 5-10 years.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If Microsoft allows gamers to convert discs into digital licenses, there are questions about what will happen to the original discs. Microsoft will need to prevent people from converting the discs and then selling the discs, which will effectively make a copy of the game.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, selling games is an important option, so Microsoft will need to have a way to close the digital license. Since Microsoft has considered having a disc-to-digital system for several generations, much of the groundwork has been done.<\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-7c18bab7-b4bb-4eb0-942b-dfc4d4bc8bf4\"\/>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure pull-left inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1672px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:29.96%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj.png\" alt=\"Click to join us on r\/WindowsCentral\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-1200-80.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-1024-80.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-970-80.png 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-650-80.png 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-480-80.png 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj-320-80.png 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rX94E5y9uUKpUAhcKF7Ruj.png\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] pull-leftinline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-34c36581-8f43-48ab-a4e0-0a952d3cecbf\"><em>Join us <\/em><em>Reddit at r\/WindowsCentral <\/em><em>to share your information and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-9bb0bbf3-f034-4bf3-8359-210753e64b43\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, is currently surrounded by questions. We have an idea of \u200b\u200bhow the console-PC hybrid will work, but confirmed details are scarce. One question is how the next Xbox will handle physical games. There&#8217;s a good chance that the next Xbox won&#8217;t have a disc drive, although that hasn&#8217;t been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14152,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14151","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-how-to-tips"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14151"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14153,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14151\/revisions\/14153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}