Xbox might be following PlayStation's lead, as new reports claim Microsoft is testing a new disc-to-digital game feature called 'Positron', and the
next-gen Project Helix console won't have a disc drive

Date:
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:50:45 +0000

Description:
Project Helix will reportedly not feature a disc drive, as sources claim Xbox is testing a disc-to-digital feature that will digitize a user's game library.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Xbox is reportedly working on a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles called 'Positron' The feature will allow Xbox users to insert a disc and convert their game to a digital format A separate report also claims that Project Helix won't have a disc drive Like PlayStation, it seems that Xbox is moving away from physical games as new reports claim that Microsoft is testing a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles and could release a next-gen Project Helix console without
a disc drive.

According to The Verge , sources familiar with Microsofts plans claim that
the company is currently working on a way for Xbox users to digitize their existing physical game library following a reference to "enable Disc2Digital" found in the Xbox PC app code in May. The new feature, reportedly called ' Positron ', will supposedly only work with Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, not with Xbox 360 or original Xbox consoles. However, some Xbox One discs might not work with this new feature. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

"It all depends on how and when the disc was manufactured and it may not have the features we need for this program," Microsoft told its internal Xbox testers.

To convert a physical game to digital, it's said that users would only need
to insert a compatible disc, install, and play the game. A Microsoft account on an Xbox console will grant a digital entitlement for physical games, which are tied to a specific disc and can be moved between accounts if users swap the physical game with a friend or log in to a different profile and try to play a disc-based game. You may like In a huge blow to game ownership, PlayStation confirms end of physical games mere days after GTA 6's disc-less pre-orders Xbox plans to share more on its next console, Project Helix,
'later this year' The end of physical game copies is coming, and retailers
are not happy

The feature will also work for physical games bundled with a console and multi-disc titles. Players can still use the discs after converting them, but they'll lose their digital entitlement if they loan or sell the disc to someone else.

More information will arrive in the coming months, so it appears to be a feature that could be planned for before the next-gen Xbox console, Project Helix. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Speaking of which, it seems Microsoft is going all in on the digital market
by releasing Project Helix without a disc drive, according to Windows Central sources.

No additional details were provided, but it's said that new details about the console will be revealed later this year .

The Xbox reports came after Sony announced that no new PlayStation games will be released on physical disc from January 2028 onwards .

The company shared a post, saying that the decision is "a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," and will "enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today." Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! The best Xbox controllers Our top picks for the best Xbox gamepads

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/xbox-might-be-following-playstations-lead-as- new-reports-claim-microsoft-is-testing-a-new-disc-to-digital-game-feature-call ed-positron-and-the-next-gen-project-helix-console-wont-have-a-disc-drive


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