A scrapped XBOX advertisement from early 2025 has been revealed, and it couldn’t be more relevant to the current gaming climate.
Sony recently announced that they’d be scrapping discs from 2028, and Project Helix, XBOX’s upcoming console, is rumored to not include a disc drive. Physical media is on a serious decline, but this XBOX ad originally served to highlight its importance—a notion that is incredibly prevalent today.
Old XBOX Ad Surfaces, Highlighting Importance Of Discs
Uncovered by billbil-kun of Dealabs, a scrapped XBOX advert has been detailed. It was supposedly meant to be released back in early 2025, but for reasons unknown, it never saw the light of day.
However, whilst the video for the ad remains a mystery, billbil-kun was able to describe its contents, and it revolved around a simple question:
Physical games Vs digital.
What suits you best?
The video supposedly lasted just 42 seconds, but it highlighted the differences between the two forms of media, in an effort to help customers decide where and how to buy their games.
When describing discs, it was mentioned that you can keep the copy of your game, take advantage of collector’s editions, and be able to lend and share your games with friends. As for digital, the pros were that you could pre-install games ready for launch day, easily switch between titles, and access exclusive digital editions.
It ended with an open question, asking consumers, “What will you choose?” Billbil-kun highlights that this reflected a clear desire from XBOX to give its players a choice on the matter, though with the current market, it seems like that choice is being stripped away.
Whilst the ad might have been from XBOX, it highlights a growing concern within the industry as a whole. With PlayStation fans cancelling PS Plus subscriptions in protest, and fans clamouring online for digital assurances from disc-less platforms, it’s a tumultuous time in the industry.
Should that ad release today, it’d undoubtedly provide XBOX with some much-needed goodwill, but with the rumors that they’re working on a disc-to-digital feature, it would seem like they’re moving towards an all-digital future as well.
What do you make of the scrapped ad? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
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Charlie is one of Insider Gaming's Guides Writers who's been in the gaming industry for a little over a year. Unfortunately for him, he enjoys every video game genre out…
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