Xbox has announced a new system that will make it easier to play physical games on console.
READ MORE: Xbox Game Pass 2026: what’s new and what’s worth playing?
Taking to social media, Xbox boss Asha Sharma announced that the new physical disc-to-digital scheme will go live next week for Xbox Insiders. “Your physical game library is more than a collection of discs. It holds years of memories and stories worth preserving,” she explained, with fans able to “unlock a digital entitlement for supported physical games.”
“Players have spent decades building their Xbox libraries. Some games were purchased on disc. Some were purchased digitally. Many span multiple generations of hardware,” added Microsoft’s Jason Ronald in a dedicated blog post. “Our goal is to make it easier for those libraries to move forward with players.”
Your physical game library is more than a collection of discs. It holds years of memories and stories worth preserving. Starting next week, XBOX Insiders can unlock a digital entitlement for supported physical games. We’ll start with thousands of titles and add more as we can. pic.twitter.com/XATsa8sjBt
— ASHA (@asha_shar) August 26, 2026
“Today we are introducing a feature that brings the benefits of digital to physical discs, giving players more flexibility in how they access and play supported games across the XBOX ecosystem. This is part of our broader commitment to game preservation. As technology, devices, and distribution continue to evolve, preserving access to the games people own matters more than ever.”
The specific details about how Xbox’s disc-to-digital scheme will work are still to be confirmed, but it’s expected that putting a physical disc inside an Xbox console will unlock a digital copy that can be played across the Xbox ecosystem. For more information, head here.
So let me get this straight.
If I buy a physical copy of a game at the store, I’ll be able to install it on my Xbox and play without the disc. If it’s play anywhere I can play it on my PC or ROG Xbox Ally.
If I’m traveling I can play it on the cloud on my laptop or phone. My… https://t.co/DSIal3FulO
— Andy Lunique (@InGameMenu) August 26, 2026
The move has been praised by gaming fans, especially in the wake of PlayStation announcing that it will be stopping physical discs altogether from early 2028.
“This is true digitisation. This is how you enable digitisation without hurting the consumers. Amazing work,” wrote one fan on X. “This is exactly what you, PlayStation user, should fight to have. Applause for Asha Sharma for doing something so ‘simple’ but extremely necessary in a world where physical media is being replaced by digital more and more each day,” added another. “Xbox confirms they’re respecting your physical collection, PlayStation should be embarrassed by this,” said a third.
Earlier this year, Xbox revived its Backwards Compatibility Program, which makes classic games available on modern consoles.
Meanwhile, despite the backlash to their plans to stop making physical discs, Sony’s chief financial officer Lin Tao said they still plan to go ahead with the move to digital-only. “We put in a lot of thought [about the future]. We cautiously considered [scrapping physical discs] and we have received various opinions [about it]. People have strong views. Games are loved by many people and so we understand those emotions [but] we’re going to cautiously move forward [with this decision].”
In other news, Grand Theft Auto 6 will reportedly be a lot more grounded and realistic than the chaotic playground of Grand Theft Auto 5.
The post Xbox praised for new physical disc-to-digital scheme: “PlayStation should be embarrassed” appeared first on NME.