Xbox isn’t ready to say goodbye to physical games, according to Xbox head Phil Spencer.
When talking to Stephen Totilo, Spencer was asked about Xbox’s future and only releasing a console with a disc drive.
Spencer said that the company will follow “what the consumers are doing”, which, right now, is buying games digitally. However, he wouldn’t shut the lid on physical games remaining part of the future of Xbox despite it being tougher to get the hardware.
“Gaming consoles themselves have kind of become the last consumer electronic device that has a drive,” Spencer said. “And this is a real issue, just in terms of the number of manufacturers that are actually building drives and the cost associated with those. And when you think about cogs that we’re going to go put in a console-and as you have fewer suppliers and fewer buyers-the cost of the drive does have an impact.
“But I will say our strategy does not hinge on people moving all-digital. And getting rid of physical, that’s not a strategic thing for us.”
Right now, Xbox offers an option for those that either want or don’t want a disc drive. PlayStation also offers the same, and it appears that it’s a trend that’s not close to coming to an end.
Do you think the next Xbox console should have a disc drive option? For more Insider Gaming, check out the latest news on the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Phil is a liar!
I l9ve physical media. But a disc is necessary. Why not a thumb drive. We still get the physical media that a lot of us want and the issue with supply is gone. There are a lot of people that still don’t have internet or don’t want to play with other people online. We need the option of both.