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

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.

Comments

Physical, or GTFO

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't own an Xbox One, but contemplating it for Red Dead Redemption 2. I want to buy a physical copy that I can still play in the next decade, potentially on another console if mine fails. When those servers are decommissioned, say bye to your games.

I know that's the way the industry is heading. Easier to milk the $$$ if you licence and don't own the game.

One of the reasons I still like playing on my older consoles. Just brought an AV cable this month for my Sega megadrive and dreamcast.

Re:Physical, or GTFO

[mentil]

The Xbox Live service is the ONLY reason the Xbox division is profitable. The hardware is a massive loss leader for the Xbox Live Gold service (sure they're not sold at a loss anymore, but factor in marketing and exclusivity deals). Those servers aren't getting decommissioned until the Xbox division is completely dead, in which case you'll be playing version 1.0 single-player software on unsupported hardware. PC (even emulation) is a safer bet.