Xbox is testing a revolutionary feature: digitizing physical discs

Microsoft seems to have found a way to solve one of the main pain points for gamers when transitioning to the next generation of consoles. According to The Verge, the company is working on a feature that will allow owners of physical game copies on Xbox One and Xbox Series X to digitize them for use on the future console.

Project Helix and a disc-drive-free future

The next Xbox console, known under the codename Project Helix, is rumored to launch as an all-digital device without a disc drive. This is a continuation of the trend that started with the Xbox Series S and is gaining momentum across the industry. Sony has already announced that it will completely abandon physical discs by 2028. To avoid leaving millions of disc owners behind, Microsoft is testing a digital entitlement system.

How it will work:

• The user inserts their physical disc into any current Xbox console with a disc drive.
• The system links the game to the owner's account as a digital copy.
• After that, the game can be launched on the new Project Helix console, via Xbox Cloud Gaming, on PC, and even on handheld devices (such as the ROG Xbox Ally), provided the title supports Play Anywhere.

An important detail: the digital right will be tied specifically to the concrete disc and account. If the disc is sold or borrowed, the new owner will receive their own right.

Limitations and nuances

Unfortunately, the feature will apparently only work with Xbox Series X/S games and a selection of Xbox One titles. Older games from the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox, which currently run on the Series X via backward compatibility, will most likely not be included in the digitization program.

Why is Xbox doing this?

The company is clearly trying to ease the transition to an all-digital future and retain loyal users who have spent years building physical collections. This is especially vital given the current generation of Xbox has not been the most successful. If the feature works as intended, it could become one of Microsoft's most gamer-oriented decisions in recent years and significantly reduce frustration among fans of physical media.

For now, there is no official confirmation from Xbox, as the feature is in internal testing. A full presentation of Project Helix and all its capabilities will most likely take place closer to the end of 2026 or in 2027. We are following the news. The transition to the new generation of consoles might turn out to be far less painful than many anticipated.