Talking Point: Would You Be Interested In A Digital-Only Xbox Series X?

I use my Series X as a 4K Blu-ray player, and that won't cease being a necessity for me, so I will always first and foremost wish to have an Xbox with a disc drive.

That said, I'd also like to have an all digital version of the Series X for my bedroom, and I'd prefer that to an S...

No because I’m a cheap ***** and retail games are on sales much more often than digital. A game like Sekiro still being full price is insane. Got it for 10$ “lused on disc.

@BBB Im the same. I only used the disc drive to get forza horizon 1, 2 and 3 up and running from cheap ebay discs.

I need a second Series X for downstairs and a Digital one would be the one I would get. I got the digital PS5 also. I haven’t bought physical games since mid 360/PS3 gen. However and why this is an important sku is it would be a great price to performance Xbox vs the digital PS5 and the new slim PS5 rumored to have a sold separately add on disc drive. Meaning Sony will have $400 dollar sku or SKU’s in the stores and Xbox wouldn’t. The digital Series S and digital PS5 show many gamers like myself don’t use or care to use physical media. Xbox needs this sku more than it appears. Should have had it from the start over Series S, but i won’t get into that here.

I stopped buying physical games last generation when a disc and a digital game took the same amount of storage space on my PS4 (not sure if the One was the same, my first Xbox has been the Series S) and you have to download patches and updates anyways.

I think the ship has sailed for this.

This is what should have been brought in, instead of the hard drive update for the series S. which was the wrong move.

A disk X, Diskless X, Series S, potentially ‘pro’ models, it’s too many SKU’s and a lot of extra manufacturing costs.

Interested for myself? No. I have two Series Xs with disc drives. Not giving them up until they go out of production. Too many cheap games you can get. Hell, I bought Elded Rind the week of release for $20 off because I got the disc.

Interested for it to replace the Series S SKU so Xbox can stop holding games back for two generations in a row? Absolutely

A disk drive that can play multiple formats is a must for me. I've got a large collection of DVDs, Blu Rays, and a small set of physical games as well, and having one system that does everything is a big plus.

It's also great for the backwards compatibility program as often you can get the physical games cheaper used than on Microsoft's store.

With my collection of physical 360, One, and Series games… yeah I need a disc drive. I even occasionally use it as an UHD DVD player.

At this point id rather see a Series S with a disc drive and i think that would make more sense for the "casual" console

Given a choice I'll always go with a disc version console but having options is always a good thing.

If it had been available when I got my Series X I'd have gone for one. I bought the digital PS5. Haven't bought discs in years.

The disc drive is my key to mainly delisted games but also using my old 360 games that are BC.

I may not buy any new games on disc however I feel having no disc drive is closing out a load of options that are no longer available to buy digitally.

Well since I already have a series x with a disc drive, I wouldn't need another one. I rarely even use this one. Tho I think they should have released a discless version from the start.

@InterceptorAlpha

Interested for it to replace the Series S SKU so Xbox can stop holding games back for two generations in a row? Absolutely

What revolutionary advances in gaming were held back by Xbox during last gen and the current gen 🤦‍♂️??... You know, boundary braking/genre defining games that were only possible on other consoles?.
And no, encountering problems with split-screen in BG3 does not hold back gaming. Larian themselves admitted that, yes the Series S can pose challenges but it's not holding back shi*t.

Nope, the disc drive is a massive benefit to me. Just like the PS2 back in the day was my main DVD player, the Series X allows me to watch DVDs and Blu Rays (and potentially 4K discs in the future) in fairly decent quality without having to spend money on an extra machine. I have a large DVD library and a growing Blu ray one now that prices have fallen enough to go for those that benefit from the upgrade. Coupled with Xbox One and 360 discs it’s essential for me. Plus the ability to to get HD versions of some original Xbox games too. Found Splinter Cell in a charity shop for 99p. Disc wasn’t in very good shape but putting it into the Series X and I got an HD upgrade for free. Can’t do any of that without a disc drive.

@HonestHick

the new slim PS5 rumored to have a sold separately add on disc drive

You know I really look forward to gaming sites claiming that Sony is killing physical gaming and its expecting us to smile (I think it was a Eurogamer headline at the time) like they have done with Microsoft since the Xbox One reveal. Definitely not going to hold my breath on that happening though ...

A disc-less series X does not appeal to me. It would destroy the back compat availability for me. I have massive physical collections from OG to now.

I've never used the disc drive of my Series X and never bough a game for it. I use it solely for GP and use my PS5 to buy games for (on disc, so I can resell them later) and play blu-rays.

@Sol4ris but if the option is still there how are they killing it? That doesn’t make sense.

It’s to streamline manufacturing. Reduces costs to make one console and ‘add’ a disk drive.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner

but if the option is still there how are they killing it? That doesn’t make sense

It makes perfect sense. Unless we are to assume that Sony will bundle the disc-drive add-on with every PS5 they'll sell, and how likely do you think that they will do that?

Once you go down the route of making the disc-drive a peripheral it's a one way street.
-The gaming landscape is littered with the grave yards of console gaming peripherals. We can all attest to that one way or another...

It’s to streamline manufacturing. Reduces costs to make one console and ‘add’ a disk drive

Indeed it is done to suit Sony’s bottom line.

I rarely ever use the disc drive on my current Series X but, I like having it as an option. The old saying "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" holds true, for me at least.

I bought the X because it was a bluray player and I could use my old discs. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. I wouldn't have considered it.

Once consoles go full digital I'm out and I will not go back.

@Sol4ris but MS don’t bundle a disk drive with the S, nor Sony with the discless ps5 anyway. So I don’t see how them giving the people who want it the option to buy it?

I mean I know the reason, it’s because it’s Sony, if it was MS doing it for the series S, people would be carrying Phil down the street on their shoulders.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner

but MS don’t bundle a disk drive with the S, nor Sony with the discless ps5 anyway. So I don’t see how them giving the people who want it the option to buy it?

Yet Microsoft are not the ones rumoured/planning to replace their disc-drive SX with a digital version and release a disc-drive add-on like Sony are rumoured to do with the disc PS5??. Its really not difficult to understand but carry on ...

I mean I know the reason, it’s because it’s Sony, if it was MS doing it for the series S, people would be carrying Phil down the street on their shoulders

If you want to have a discourse on the topic, you really have to move past the petty fanboy squabbling approach. Peace.

Personally I wouldn't at the moment, however I also buy a lot of games digitally so for me it really wouldn't be a problem. But I do hope that a disc method is always offered in the future for those who do still collect physical.

I think they should release a diskless version that includes more space, maybe another 500GB or 1TB, but keep this console the same price as the disc version ($500). They could probably lose less money on that version!

I already own a XSX, so no need for me to get this diskless version.

@Sol4ris yeah it will be interesting to see if they catch any negative articles about that decision. I doubt it as PlayStation is the media industry darling. They tend to bash MS over something simple and trivial vs saying much about PS. As the market leader they could really hurt stores with physical media. It’s already on a decline, this could be an even faster nail into the coffin. Switch will keep physical carts as little kids will want to see the games in stores.

Nope. Use it as my Blu-ray player and for the few games like GTA San Andres that I missed out on digitally that still have a disc.

@Sol4ris I guess you forgot the part where everything on the One was running at a lower resolution and or frame rate than the PS4. And it got so bad that Microsoft had to "unlock" resources the even attempt to catch up. Even then still missed the mark. Playing through the Arkham games right now ans Arkham Knight looks like I'm playing through a sand grain filter at 900p. Meanwhile when I went through back on PS4 ages ago, was 1080p from launch.

Also nobody mentioned BG3. But since you did, I'm happily playing it on PC while PS5 is waiting, and an Xbox release is still up in the air due to the asinine feature parity requirement set by Microsoft. If it had launched at the same time Microsoft would have gotten money from me.

That out of the way, you're awfully offended about a specific scenario when multiple other developers have expressed the same concern.

Please not!!! This would be the next step of removing physical games on XBox.

Soon as a discless Series X is announced I'm cleaning my Series S to use as credit towards it, especially if it looks like a cube.

No. I want a Series S with physical game support.

@InterceptorAlpha

Right, so you wrote a long- ish post to say what everyone was already aware of, i.e. that the Xbox One was less powerful than the PS4 and provided zero evidence of the console holding back games (your words). Holding back games is not the same as a resolution disparity but you likely know and ignore that to suit your narrative.

an Xbox release is still up in the air due to the asinine feature parity requirement set by Microsoft

And there is a reason for that, just because you chose not to agree with it doesn't invalidate it.

That out of the way, you're awfully offended about a specific scenario when multiple other developers have expressed the same concern

Not at all, I just find your rhetoric to be more at home on PushSquare et all . I know you are dissatisfied with how Microsoft handled Halo Infinite, but it doesn't have to constantly grind your gears 😉.

look MS put a lot of work into backwards compat, it's pretty incredible. In fact i'm starting to collect physical xbox games (just ordered KOTOR for OG xbox today) as keep sakes. Got that hyperkin duke on order too, i'll be playing like it's 2003.

I have a Series S and Series X and I buy my games digitally, so the only reason of get a discless XSX is if I became dissatisfied with my XSS. Can't see that happening, I am currently very happy with it.

I actually think I'd be more likely to buy a standard XSX as a replacement as even though I buy games digitally I do play the occasional DVD or Blu-ray and that would be handy in the room that the XSS currently lives in.... Or maybe I should just dust off and set up the One X next to it for that purpose. 🤷🏻🤣

@Sol4ris Your question was how Xbox held things back last generation. You were provided an answer and moved the goal post.

There is not a valid reason to use lackluster hardware to hold back consoles because of poor decision making on Microsoft's behalf.

And finally you result to ad hominems when you realize you're argument has no foot to stand on. Thankfully the ignore/block buttons on this site work amazingly. Have a nice day.

@InterceptorAlpha

And finally you result to ad hominems when you realize you're argument has no foot to stand on

Ohh bless, the ever-green defence when one has run out of road to tripp up on 🙄, you owe your self to look up the meaning of ad homnimens.

If and when Microsoft release a Series X Pro and a Series X 2 they should release each with a disc drive and without, let the market decide.
As for would I buy a digital only Series X?
No, as I use my Series X as a Blu ray player and my large collection of game discs.

Totally off subject, but the next Xbox i would like to see have a digital and physical option like the PS5 launch had and…. Here is the change of topics, i want the next Xbox to use NVIDA. It would closely match up specs and features used in PC gaming. As AMD don’t have RLSS and other features of NVIDA. It’s unlikely to happen, but could be a big boost in performance. As for digital vs physical units, it isn’t a huge deal, as my Series X has a disc drive, i just choose not to use it. But say someone came over and brought a game or movie on disc, it is nice to have it there if needed. But i will not return to buying my games physically.

It would be interesting to see the exact sales numbers for the disc-less ps5. Jeff Grubb says reports are 1 in 10 systems made are the digital only one. The Series S seems like a much better push.

Should’ve releases this and the series x and never the series s … also idk who’s creating these names but damn it’s horrible

Still haven't used the disk drive on my series x despite owning it for a year.

I have had my series x since day one and have yet to stick a disc in the drive. A drive is useless if you have gone all digital.

I still think it should be available with a drive, but I would prefer to have the option to buy without a drive as well.

I've owned my Series X for more than a year and I have never, ever put a disc in it. I don't even own any games on physical media. So I would definitely be in the market for one of these...if I didn't already have one.

EDIT: If a diskless Series X looks anything like as sexy as the new black 1TB Series S that has been announced, I'll buy one anyway, regardless.

I don’t think I would ever buy a console without a disc drive. But perhaps I am in the minority. That goes for both the PS5 and Series X. If either Microsoft or Sony stopped making consoles with disc drives, that would be the day that I stopped buying them.

Gosh no, games are way to big to ever consider going digital only.

As a second console perhaps.....but I still rent games ...saving loads...so need a disc drive

Absolutely DO NOT want all digital option. Never, ever, ever, never, no way, no how, zero, nada, not even on a good day. Never. Never. Never!

Disc based console, only!!!!!

Have never used the disc drive on my X. Never will. So it’s a waste of money for me.

I have a digital edition ps5 and i wish i had a disc drive for it. Mostly due to game costs. Digital only storefronts never are the best price for gamers, whereas the xbox i can go to gamestores and swap/buy 2nd hand for 50% less than the storefronts

Personally I wouldn’t want one. Games at launch are generally 20-30% cheaper through physical retailers than they are in the Xbox store, so any cost saving is given up very quickly if you’re prepared to buy physical games. Same reason I went the PS5 with disc console. Even if you buy most games digitally, it’s nice to have that option to grab and insert a disc.

I’d rather see a more expensive Series S with disc drive than a Series X without, to be honest. The hard bit would be pricing it such that it’s not so close to the Series X pricing as to make a Series S with disc model pointless.

Physical forever

Don't think it makes sense and physical/digital is preferred then digital only (DVD/Blu-rays, CDs, game disks). For the audience that does. Sure a blu-ray player exists but not everyone can buy one/some want multiple use devices.

Great poll results for different sides.

Having both options makes sense on the higher end, while a disk Series S would be nice I can see why they wouldn't to save money and why they went digital only (or because they want it as a way to get people to go digital only), I'd like a disk Series S if possible but doubt it will happen, even if Cloud/Xbox One X is good enough if need be as a step down from that even. Or a good enough PC at 1080p, other features on or off.

I like digital/disk as 'options' if one is cheaper on discount either works. Not 'forced option' Disk consoles have both. Digital consoles have 1 option and that's it. You can wait a while for them to go on discount sometimes then go down briefly and back up again. Disk they can be discounted/retro store prices in no time. Convenience isn't good enough if price, putting it in whenever. And we know why they won't allow 'install and never use the disk again' that disk license or not altering the console past how it's intended is important to companies it must be disks are this way to use them.

Backups are just moving to another drive not backups to your PC after all.

I mean PSP Go was a fair test back then and the One S Digital/SAD, versus PSP you had models with both and eventually the E1000/Street with so much stripped even if the old models were still being sold I think/cheaper by then.

This article taught me that my Series X has a disc drive lol. I guess that makes sense, but I've been using it since December, and I never noticed. I mean if it didn't, then I guess there wouldn't be games for it in stores.

Absolutely, I'd buy it day one!! We only play gamepass games anyway and I would appreciate the extra horsepower & storage. Hopefully we get one

Wouldn't touch it or any other Xbox. Sorry but this latest 'dashboard' update really has left a very salty taste in my mouth. I dread turning it on now even to look at it, trawl through all those ads if I need something. Even knowing they are all their just one button press down.

I would rather have a series s with a disc.

Not in a million years would I be interested. To give up even more control of what I can consume and use as entertainment. No, thanks.

I know all-digital is probably only the next gen away but I love physical games.
The feeling of going to a game shop/waiting for the disc to come through the letterbox will never be replaced by a download.

Disc Version Always.

Once locked into the Microsoft Store, sales will be less frequent and they can completely determine pricing.

Discs create competition. Can't be charging $60 for the MS Store version when the discs are going for $20.

If I remember, Microsoft already tried something like that with Xbox One release (banning secondary market of used games) but due to fierce reaction of customers, it revoked this policy.

Now, Microsoft is obviously trying to achieve this result "silently" simply by physically removing the option how to play used games from the secondary market by promoting heavily subsidized Series S and now even remove optical disc reader from Series X

I would have at launch, but in my house we have two XSX and an XSS. The only other console I'll buy this gen (besides whatever Nintendo has cooking) would be a Pro XSX.

Yes. 100% would trade my Series S that I love for a Series X Digital.

As my main Series X, no. I have too many physical games and movies that I play on it. That said, I buy a secondary one for my cottage and haven’t actually done that yet as I just got finished doing a major renovation on it and just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I would actually have no problem with a digital only edition for there. I never bring physical media with me when my family goes up there and I rely fully on digital games. If this were to come out in the next 12 months and saved me a bit of money, I would absolutely buy one no doubt about it.

I mean, if the digital-only X also has double the storage space, then that'll be the one I ultimately end up getting.

I already have a Series X so there’d have to be some other enhancements other than just removing disc drive to be worthwhile. A slimline redesign that’s the size of Series S would interest me. A mid-gen refresh with internal component enhancements would interest me greatly.

No we want physical media, nothing more, nothing less, down with the digital future mindset.