That’s brilliant, got a bunch of Xbox discs in an old CD sleeve

Gotta give props to Xbox, this is a great idea.

I feel like this is one of those ideas that friends and I talked about wishing would happen years ago lol.

If I had an Xbox, I would immediately start hunting down cheap discs to turn into digital gold, like the 21st century version Rumpleforeskin or whatever that guy's name was.

And so it begins. Personally, I wouldn’t use this program even if I had many Xbox One/Series X games. I just don’t like digital games. Happy for those who were hoping for this feature though.

I don't need Sony to implement this feature because I've already tossed all my discs in the garbage to properly embrace the digital future.

It's about time Xbox applied some pressure.

I'd love a program like this on the PlayStation ecosystem because I converted for the most part with the launch of the PS4.

Knowing Sony as they are today though I highly doubt it is going to happen.

But surely this has the potential to completely screw over the collectors market. How many people do you think will try and digitise the disc, then sell them on eBay.

@tangyzesty

I may do the same, before disc prices rise.

@Kang81 I’m not sure how they can. Xbox uniquely identifies each disc. PlayStation doesn’t.

Microsoft announces it’s making discs redundant, and giving people a digital license people claim they don’t want.

This is a step in the right direction, though still unsure how it shall be received at large.

All I know is Sony was discussing this concept internally a few years ago, but no idea how it would be implemented.

I did find it interesting at the time I first heard it from Sony that they’d be looking into it though.

I’m glad the Xbox brand has beat them to it, as it’ll give them a good baseline to figure out what the public perception would be.

Since hearing of it a couple of times though, there was no further noise about it. So the plan likely either got paused to figure out industry directions and public sentiment, or got axed.

So yes, this could be the start of all companies having a “plan” and not just one. The transition from physical and digital to all digital is something all these industry leaders have been planning for years.

One thing that none of them would have likely expected is how much people care. So I look forward to seeing what takes place next.

It would go a long way to repairing the fan outrage if Sony has something similar, but my understanding is that Xbox disc have unique identifiers included on each disc whereas Sony never did that with theirs. So I don’t know how easy it would be to implement this without the risk of the system being taken advantage of. 🤞🏼 Here’s hoping!

These unique Xbox disc IDs were originally introduced to forbid lending on Xbox One via always-online. After the negative response, Microsoft killed the plans, but obviously kept the unique IDs for the discs without using them.

The irony now is that these IDs allow for the new disc-to-digital system. Discs for PS4 and PS5 seem to lack such an identifier, making this system impossible for PlayStation.

@Th3solution We still have a long, long time for things to develop. People just need to be patient (I know that’s a big ask).

Anyway, this is an interesting system from Xbox, but ultimately useless to me as it doesn’t support 360 discs.

@ShadowRJ

I was unaware of this, but I'm not planning on getting a PS6, or the next Xbox anyway. Without full backwards compatibility on Sony's part and the most assuredly absurd cost the next systems will be priced, I'm out.

While I can afford it, I refuse to pay anywhere near $1,000 for a console. More so when it's not even fully backwards compatible like the PlayStation will be.

Sony L, after Sony L, after Sony L. Haha, it's like watching a slow-mo train wreck of a once-great brand. 😂😔

@8th_Observer

I'd love it if this supported 360 games as I have a large collection of physical discs. If I recall though the 360 generation didn't really have many digital games outside of XBLA.

Looks like Xbox is going digital too

@Th3solution
Brother, there would be no outrage in the first place if Sony announced their entire plan instead of just telling people to accept or f*ck off.

They've been fighting resale and lending since the dawn of time, the internet has now made it possible. Sad but it is what it is. Sony haven't communicated anything yet because they're still deciding I guess. I bet they'd just make the PS6 have an optional disc drive and be done with it if this disc to digital is giving them headaches.

Sony would never!
Another L PlayStation takes

@Kang81 u don't know anything I don't think Sony just not going to allow u not play your physical games once again none of us know what on ps6

@ShadowRJ

"The disc still remains playable after the transfer, but if someone else goes to claim the digital license, the original person will have the license taken off them."

The way I'm reading this, if I uploaded me disc and then sold it to you, you would then take the licence from me once you tried to upload it too. So I don't think anyone would be getting screwed; you'd need the disc in your ownership regardless or you risk losing access

@CielloArc for a system that that they are not ready to talk about why so entitled

Good. Time to act Sony…

Good on Xbox.

Sounds like the next console will come without disc drive

@danzoEX How is that another L for PlayStation when they haven't said the PS6 won't have an optional disc drive...

Hmm i think alot of people dont understand but this is literally just Xbox version of nintendo gamekey card. So no it isnt fully digital but it is still DRM xbone. Ps fan need to really wobble their head together.. this wont change anything apart for xbox owner who will enjoy this system but i recall xbox owner like me already prefering digital i guess now my forza 4 disc is secure for future proof. This is xbox benefiting from having the drm tech prepared.. sony dont have disc identifier code and even if they started implementing the ps6 version of this program it will take till late ps6 to see it mass adopted. My god bless you all

Makes sense it would revoke if installed to a new console. Don’t want people to get 10 new copies per disc. I do hope Sony does something similar, but we’ll see. Still buying physical as long as I’m able. As some have said, sounds like the next XBox is gonna be all digital as well…which is no shock.

but if someone else goes to claim the digital license, the original person will have the license taken off them.

So you cant trade in your disc then. If I get some else's disc without them knowing I can essentially revoke their Liscense whenever I want from anywhere in the world.
I'm sure that won't cause any problems at all.

@Fizza @ShadowRJ

@PsBoxSwitchOwner But commentors told me the Helix will have a disc-drive, but yes I reached the same outcome as you.

@Slayer25c
If this affected just the PS6 then yeah, it could maybe be interpreted as entitlement since no one bought a PS6 yet.

But nope, this affects PS5 too, a system people paid money for and Sony is actively removing both a purchase option and a functionality.

So yeah, I'm goddamn entitled to the full explanation.

It doesn't really change that much for all the whiners complaining about 'ownership' though, however much they'll try to use this to attack Sony.

And it implies that Xbox Helix will be all-digital too.

I'm not sure why people are celebrating this. Sounds to me like they're transitioning to a digital only future as well. Turn those disc digital, now!

Somebody can explain to me what is the point, because I don't understand. Sure, you get license to use digital version of game but if MS decides to kill this game from their servers, license or not, your're screwd anyway. How's that different from Sony?

@TheArt optional disc driver equals spending more money
Still an L.

As much as I don't want physical media to go away, I simply don't want to spend money on a rental, this is a step in the right direction to appease people with large physical collections. This way you can move forward to the next console and your collection goes with you.
I don't see Sony do this because they're the market leader, they just want you to buy the games again.

@Chesterpl your disc still works if they remove the digital license. This is to help people move forward to a digital only console and take their collection with them

@Chesterpl
It doesn't solve the entire thing about digital ownership, but it does solve the problem of someone having a physical library and wanting to play the games going forward the couple next generations.

Plus you still have the physical copy, your disc still works on the current consoles without the whole digital license thing.

MS is making Sony look more clown-like every day.

@ATaco

I have no inclination to believe the next Xbox will not be all digital only and this just further proves it like you say.

What would be the point of this system if the next Xbox actually had a disc drive.

@Fiendish-Beaver @AhabSpampurse @3Above Okay, that’s good. The only thing that worries me about this is the possibility that the console needs to have mandatory online checks in order to make sure your redeemed license hasn’t been used by somebody else, but that’s a subject for another day.

Digital only ps5 was the death of discs unfortunately

Digital Foundry says this is how it works:

"The critical thing here is that the programme still allows for used game sales, game borrowing and so on. If you buy a disc, convert it to digital, then sell it on, whoever inserts it next into their Xbox console will get the entitlement for their account and remove it from yours - which seems fair enough."

How does the policy of the licence integrate to this? All companies issue a licence as part of the product, on disk it's ownership so doesn't digitalising it apply the same issue of it giving control of access? It doesn't entirely resolve the problem am I right? So in other words they've masked the core problem of it with the disk to digital transition with this effective way of migrating it to the console with is a great move because Sony has taken the full hit announcing it as it is that it's moving away from physical so in other words they're all going down the same route just different journeys...

@Deadlyblack There were rumours Sony was going to do a similar program with the PSP Go but nothing ever materialised.

@Sunzy98 The licence transfers from the disc to your account but is revoked if the disc gets used on another console. It essentially lets you digitise a physical collection but protects the Xbox from them all being resold later on (like you can after ripping a CD)

@Kang81
I mean, current Xbox has Series S which is a pure digital console and Series X which has a disc drive. They could go for this strategy again because it worked fine from a sales standpoint.

Next Xbox is also supposed to have a handheld companion and we all know those don't come with a disc drive.

@CielloArc are they removing a purchase option? Or will we just get a code in a box at a retailer? (Same for Xbox)

Suppose i could turn my 2 physical xbox games into digital if I can be bothered to dig it out of my cupboard.

@danzoEX But the PS5 disc drives are optional and there was no outrage...

It’s a fine idea for a hybrid PS and Xbox. Can’t insert a disc into a handheld device but doing a transfer like that while docked could mean playing the games on handheld while continue to use the disc on a dock/home console. Better option than ending physical completely

As a physical media collector this does solve the main annoyance of physical, which is having to get up off the couch and swap discs/having to consider what game you currently have in your console for remote play.

When I first read this 'great I have enough physical Xbox games to need to do this', now it looks like it locks that physical games license to one console/account?

It's good for two reasons I can think of. If you lend a physical disk to a friend only your friend can play it, now you can digitally share the game and both of you can play it. If you damage or lose your disk you can still play the game. Happy days if you have any physical games, which I don't.

Brilliant feature for physical enthusiasts. Well done Xbox.

@RadioHedgeFund it's a shame it didn't happen though.

This sounds great! Got quite a few One/X games on disc, so I’ll get these licences for them. Fair play, Xbox.

There will be no need for Xbox to carry on making new physical games discs soon either if every new physical game disc purchased is gonna be turned into a digital license. I mean at this point what would be the point to buy a new physical disc on Xbox if you gonna end up turning it into a digital anyway, might as well just buy it digitally to begin with. Obviously is good if you have older purchased discs and I think this is what it's for. An all digital future sucks but we gotta game and we don't make the rules

@PsBoxSwitchOwner
I mean, if you buy discs why the hell would you want to buy a box with a code?

The only Xbox One or Series disc I own is Red Dead Redemption 2. And I have sneaking suspicion that it will be one of the few games that won't support this program. Just feels like a Rockstar thing to do.

Xbox 1 x 0 Playstation

The benefit of digitizing your physical library, which no one here has brought up yet, is that it allows people with physical games to take advantage of Xbox Play Anywhere support and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

That's what makes it more interesting, rather than just "you can play your physical games on digital only consoles."

In other words, if you get a physical Xbox copy of a game like Gears of War: E-Day or The Witcher 3, you will receive a digital PC copy for free, as long as you keep the physical game.

That's 1 point Xbox. Although this might be more an indication that they're likewise going all digital. Although, simultaneously, one would think this means their next console will still have a disc drive.

Of course, it's not too late for PlayStation to implement something similar, regardless of if they're working on it currently or not. But I'd say, assuming Xbox really is on the same trajectory, this is a perfect showcase of how PlayStation could've avoided the whole stink. Announcing ostensibly consumer-friendly practices leading up to the all digital announcement.

Sony has to mimic this. They have to.

I hope this pressures Sony to follow suit. This is why it's important to have competition in a market.

@Questionable_Duck Yeah, it's definitely worth noting you're allowed all the perks of a digital Xbox game now while still having a disc. Really, it extends Play Everywhere to physical.

I'm guessing no one here is mentioning it because many PlayStation fans aren't aware that Xbox digital is just kinda...better, with features and perks they wouldn't even think to ask for.

@CielloArc because you still have the box to display? You still have the option to buy from a retailer at potentially a cheaper price and it does still give an option (albeit not as good of one)

Sounds like an easy way to steal someone’s license.

@lacerz

As easy as stealing their disc ever was. How is this easier than that?

And if someone did steal your license and you put the disc in, it sounds like you would take the license back from them.

So you know... keep your discs.

@Questionable_Duck
Play anywhere in the windows ecosystem you mean.
But yeah, its a neat advantage, plus you get to keep your physical copy.

Microsoft confirmed they are going fully digital too, just like Sony.

Great for people who own Xbox discs and a good look for Xbox.
In practice, doesn't really matter to anyone who doesn't already have a collection of Xbox game discs and a console with a drive.

I do hope Sony would introduce something similar but this depends on whether PS5/PS4 discs already include ROM Tags like the Xbox ones do - which is unclear.

@Questionable_Duck Are they saying the license permanently locks to the person's account? That's the part that I can't see clearly and you seem to know what you're talking about.

I do honestly hope Sony engineers a program similar to this one so the 10 people still left collecting discs can somewhat join us in the future.

Still will never buy an Xbox again.

Imo this is what Sony need to make the rumoured PS6 handheld a success, because realistically that was never going to have physical media, but will be able to play digital titles linked to your account.

Also absolutely see this as Xbox going digital for the next gen. Just communicated in a much more consumer friendly way. It means those who predominantly play physically on xbox (yes, likely a small number), can bring all their games forward to Helix.

Playstation must have scrapped their PR and Comms teams this generation because the messaging around physical games was atrocious. Hopefully they plan to implement something similar and have failed to communicate it.

@GirlVersusGame From what I understand, no, the license doesn't get permanently locked to anyone's account. If you give the disc to someone else and they insert it into their console (while signed in to a different account and everything), them you will lose access to the digital license and your friend will get it on their account instead.

Theoretically speaking, if you threw your physical disc in the trash and made sure it will never be used by someone else ever again, then yes, the digital license would technically be indefinite. I don't think anyone would want to do that, though.

@CielloArc

That could very well be the case, but I'm not getting my hopes up. If it does in fact have a disc based version of the next console I would switch back over to the Xbox ecosystem as my primary place to play.

That said, if the next gen systems are anywhere near the rumored $1,000 price range I'm out anyway. I refuse to pay that much for a console.

So this doesn't solve the fact that new disc games will be no more next gen.

I’m not a genius, but even I had sufficient brain cells to realise 10 years ago that I needed to start buying all my games in digital form to ensure I have the ability to play them long-term.

Xbox have thrown a bone to their users, but I suspect that is dumb luck for 99% of users who never even knew it was possible, and they are just fortunate such a capability exists.

There can be no sympathy for Sony gamers who failed to see the blindingly obvious and act accordingly, should Sony not have an equivalent capability.

If you have been buying plastic coasters for the last 10 years, then sorry lads, that one is on you. If even a dummy like me could figure it out…

If the PS6 has no option of a modular disc drive, it won't make much of a difference to me even if Sony put a similar program in place, because I'll still need to hold onto my PS5 to put the discs into in the first place (and keep it as a Blu Ray player). My practice for every generation past has been to sell the old console to provide some funds for the new-gen one. If I'm forced to hold onto my PS5 to watch Blu Rays or play or validate my licence for my physical collection, that will make justifying the purchase of a PS6 that much harder.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner
Yeah, but normal people don't care about the box and neither does the collectors. They care about the disc, having a box to display is just an afterthought.

The worst part about this is the industry thinking people want the box and that's not it at all.
Even the Xbox engineer said something like "Yeah you can digitize your games and still have a nice box to display in your shelf" during the gamescom presentation. I was like, you didn't get the point of why people buy physical but ok, at least you showed your plans and offered an acceptable alternative right off the bat, unlike Sony.

LOL. So that’s it. Microsoft just confirmed they’re moving to digital only also.

@WhoderMan
I remember in college having about thirty of my CDs stolen, to the point where I was putting my name on them with a sharpie.

I prefer a license tied to my account, not a physical item that can be stolen.

@Questionable_Duck Thank you, they don't make it very clear, Microsoft I mean. By the way I saw a name like yours before on Battlefield, they would keep shooting me and quack while doing it. Also Tim Curry just passed. Off-topic but he was a legend, literally he starred in Legend. I just heard when I saw your notification. Yesterday was Dolly Parton, now him.

Breaking news: video games company announces functionality that should have been a given since the first game that released both physically and digitally.
Bless them all, I just wish Sega would come back from the dead with a Dreamcast Next or something...

Can't wait for Sony top brass to tell us that PS4 and PS5 disc based backwards compatibility on PS6 is overrated or obsolete and we just have to f***'n like it🤣🤣.

So, if the console already has a disc drive, why not let them play from the disc?

Asha should have came out at the gamescom last night and announced this and of course done a little video, just to poke fun at Sony.

@GirlVersusGame No problem! Yeah Microsoft didn't exactly make the whole thing clear. There's a surprising amount of people with duck-themed usernames like mine. I don't play Battlefield, though, so that person you met probably wasn't me lol.

Also, RIP to Dolly Parton and Tim Curry. Lots of legends are sadly passing away lately

@ShadowRJ each disc has its own identifiers and the digital copy of the previous owner would be void until he puts the disc back in his console.