Amid the backlash over PlayStation's plans to abandon game discs, Xbox has announced a new disc-to-digital feature for games. Here's how it works.
The feature has been rumored for some time, and this week Microsoft made it official:
- "Most Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc-based games support this new feature. Players can claim a digital entitlement by inserting a supported disc into an Xbox One or Xbox Series X console and launching the game. Once the entitlement is claimed, you can experience the benefits of digital, including Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming where supported," announced Jason Ronald, VP Next Generation, Xbox.
Game discs will continue to work
Microsoft stressed that "your physical disc continues to work exactly as it always has", with one important caveat: you must keep the disc. If you sell it and the new owner claims the digital version, you will automatically lose access to your digital version. Your physical discs are not subject to an internet check, Microsoft stressed.
Microsoft said that the program is part of a broader commitment to game preservation.
The disc-to-digital feature will initially support thousands of titles, with more to be added over time, giving players greater flexibility, Microsoft said.
- "While not every title will be available at launch, this is an important step toward a future where players can have greater confidence that the games they buy remain with them for years to come," said Jason Ronald.
Could accelerate move to digital
Microsoft's move comes amid backlash against PlayStation and Sony over its decision to stop releasing new games on discs from January 2028. PlayStation has not announced any plans to let gamers convert their purchased games to digital versions.
The disc-to-digital feature will launch on August 31 for Xbox beta testers and later for everyone else. It requires an Xbox console with a disc drive and, of course, Xbox game discs – PlayStation game discs will not work.
Microsoft calls it a "revokable digital license" and says that further – unspecified – terms apply. The company has not announced plans to drop game discs, but PlayStation's move is expected to have wider consequences for the industry.
And now, a feature that digitizes physical games could accelerate the shift toward digital gaming by introducing more players to digital game stores and their features.
