Project Helix Xbox Rumored to Skip Disc Drive as Microsoft Pushes Digital

Fresh reporting suggests Microsoft could be steering the next Xbox away from physical game discs, with its upcoming Project Helix console reportedly lacking a disc drive.

Project Helix may drop the disc drive

Windows Central says its contacts believe Project Helix—the next generation Xbox—is not planned to include a disc drive. No additional hardware specifics were shared, but the discussion arrives right after PlayStation announced it will stop manufacturing and supporting physical game discs starting in January 2028. The timing points toward the idea that the PlayStation 6 may also be built around an all-digital approach.

Meanwhile, The Verge reports Microsoft is looking into a “disc-to-digital” capability. Under this concept, players would insert a disc into the console and receive a digital license for that title, enabling play without keeping the disc in the system. If the disc is later handed to someone else, the entitlement would transfer to the new owner. The trade-off is clear: once you digitize a game, you would not be able to resell or lend that physical copy to a friend while still retaining the digital version. If you never digitize, the disc would still work like a standard physical purchase.

What would be supported—and how players may be affected

The reports also indicate the feature would be limited to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S games. Original Xbox and Xbox 360 software would not be covered. The Verge couldn’t verify claims about whether Project Helix itself has a disc drive, but suggested the digitization option could be a stepping stone toward an all-digital Xbox. The idea is that players who want to move to the next console might start converting their existing library on today’s hardware.

For this current console cycle, manufacturers have already been offering purchasing flexibility. If you prefer not to use discs, you can buy digital-only versions for both Xbox Series X and PS5. There’s also a way to get disc support without buying a disc-based model: the PS5’s digital edition can be paired with an add-on disc drive, while consoles can also be purchased with built-in disc hardware. Even so, while it’s possible future systems could offer an optional disc drive to maintain backward compatibility with physical releases, that outcome isn’t assured right now.

At present, Xbox hasn’t issued an official statement about the future of physical media. Microsoft has said it will share more about Project Helix later this year, though it remains unclear how much detail will be provided. Both consoles are expected to launch next year, but there are doubts about how feasible that schedule is, largely due to the expense involved in producing new hardware.

What to watch next

With pricing concerns, fewer choices for players who prefer physical ownership, and a sense that the current generation hasn’t fully delivered, the next round of consoles is looking like a tougher sell. It’s still possible Microsoft can win people over with what comes next—but for now, the shift away from discs is making many players pause.

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Ultimately, with pricing, lack of options for physical media fans, and an overall feeling that this generation hasn’t even reached its full potential, the next-generation is sounding rather unattractive. Perhaps there’s a way to hook players in with the next line of consoles, but right now, it’s becoming an increasingly harder sell.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.