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Xbox Will Reportedly Continue to Support Physical Discs Following PS6 Backlash
Digital Foundry's John Linneman has said sources indicate Microsoft plans to continue supporting physical game discs on future Xbox hardware, prioritising backward compatibility over disc sales revenue. The reports, though unconfirmed by Microsoft, offer a contrast to Sony's approach and arrive as welcome news for players following the backlash over the PS6's disc plans.
Linneman said his sources indicated that, at least before a recent internal reset at Xbox, Microsoft intended to keep disc support so games remained playable on future consoles, possibly alongside a "disc-to-digital" scheme using an external drive. This follows Sony's decision to end physical disc production from January 2028, a move its CFO Lin Tao reaffirmed in late July despite strong community pushback, and comments from Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet after a recent outage stating that disc-based entitlement checks should never block access to games. It also follows a leaked document suggesting Xbox 360 titles could come to PC and Microsoft's next-generation "Project Helix" console around 2027-2028.
In short
- Xbox may keep supporting physical discs, sources tell Digital Foundry
- Move reportedly aimed at backward compatibility, not disc sales
- Contrasts with Sony's plan to end PS discs from January 2028
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporting physical media protects genuine consumer ownership—gamers own discs rather than merely licensing digital content dependent on corporate servers. Backward compatibility ensures library preservation across generations, whilst physical media remains essential for players with limited internet access. This approach respects consumer autonomy and the second-hand market that makes gaming more affordable, rather than funnelling all transactions through proprietary digital storefronts.
The case against
Digital-only systems eliminate manufacturing complexity and distribution costs, potentially lowering consumer prices whilst reducing supply-chain environmental impact. Digital delivery offers superior convenience through instant access and seamless integration, whilst development resources focus entirely on optimising experiences for their intended platform rather than maintaining backward-compatibility constraints. As broadband access expands globally, the practical advantages of direct, always-available digital engagement justify moving beyond physical media's ongoing manufacturing and logistics burden.
Explained simply
Game consoles can play games from physical discs or download them from online shops. Backward compatibility lets newer consoles run games made for older ones, while a disc drive can also help preserve access to games people already own.
Microsoft makes Xbox consoles, and Sony makes PlayStation consoles. Xbox has supported discs on earlier systems, and its technology chief, Scott Van Vliet, has said a disc check should not prevent someone playing a game they own. Sony’s plans for disc production have prompted debate among players about how they will access games in future.
The issue matters to players who value owning a physical copy, and to those who want older games to remain playable as hardware changes. Microsoft has not confirmed its plans for future Xbox consoles; reports have also pointed to a possible system that would let an external drive convert disc ownership into a digital licence.