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Cheaper, Disc-Free Xbox One Coming Next Year, Report Says (arstechnica.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the disc-to-digital dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Microsoft is planning to release a disc-free version of the Xbox One as early as next spring, according to an unsourced report from author Brad Sams of Thurrott.com (who has been reliable with early Xbox-related information in the past). The report suggests the disc-free version of the system would not replace the existing Xbox One hardware, and it would instead represent "the lowest possible price for the Xbox One S console." Sams says that price could come in at $199 "or lower," a significant reduction from the system's current $299 starting price (but not as compelling compared to $199 deals for the Xbox One and PS4 planned for Black Friday this year). Buyers will also be able to add a subscription to the Xbox Games Pass program for as little as $1, according to Sams. For players who already have games on disc, Sams says Microsoft will offer a "disc to digital" program in association with participating publishers. Players will be able to take their discs into participating retailers (including Microsoft Stores) and trade them in for a "digital entitlement" that can be applied to their Xbox Live account.

3 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What else are they removing? by RickyShade · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They're setting a plan in motion that will end physical game purchases entirely and move consumers to 100% downloaded/streamed content.

  2. Sounds like a great way to get rid of used games by skam240 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This sounds like a great way to begin to get rid of the console used game market.

    There's no way getting rid of the blu-ray player in an xbox saves Microsoft $100. What it does do is create a level of consumer that can no longer engage in the used game market.

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  3. Re:What else are they removing? by dissy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What else are they removing?

    The ability to buy and sell second hand games on the used market.

    They also don't provide refunds on digital purchases except where the law forces them to, aka not most of the USA.
    Physical goods are required to allow this, and most large retailers will do so for longer than required.