Will Next-Gen Xbox Have a Disc Drive? Xbox CEO Dodges Question

Summary

Sony has already shown its hand: the PS6 will not include a disc drive, a decision that has angered some of the most hardcore gamers but also opens a different path for Xbox. Project Helix, the next-gen Xbox console, may or may not feature a disc drive, but Xbox CEO Asha Sharma refused to answer when asked by the BBC whether the console would continue to support game discs. She said, "For the next generation, we have to balance performance with efficiency and price. As Xbox, as we continue to advance our next-generation console development, our responsibility is to focus on what's happening in the world and build the best experience for our players." This evasive response strongly suggests that Microsoft is likely to follow Sony's lead and abandon physical media when it launches new hardware. In fact, Xbox has already moved in this direction. While the current Xbox Series X has a disc-drive version, the more affordable Series S is digital-only and has proven popular. With Xbox Game Pass subscription service gaining momentum, the role of physical discs has further diminished. If Microsoft confirms a disc-less design for the next console, it would mark a full transition to the digital era, affecting retailers, second-hand markets, and collectors. However, Sharma's refusal to confirm also hints that the final decision has not been made, and Microsoft is watching player feedback…