At the Xbox showcase during Gamescom, Microsoft officially announced the long-rumored "Disc to Digital" feature. This feature allows players to convert their physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X game discs into digital licenses, with thousands of games supported in the initial batch.
According to Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation Business at Xbox, most physical disc games for Xbox One and Xbox Series X will support this new feature. Players simply need to insert a compatible disc into their Xbox One or Xbox Series X console and launch the game to claim the corresponding digital license.
It is worth noting that the digital license is tied to the physical disc itself, rather than being permanently locked to a specific account. If you lend the disc to a friend or run it on another Xbox account, the corresponding digital license will transfer to the new user's account along with the disc. Additionally, the physical disc can still be used normally after conversion; it is not a mandatory "either/or" choice.
After successfully claiming the digital version, players can also play on PC via Xbox Play Anywhere, or stream the experience on multiple devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming, provided the game supports these features.
Microsoft plans to first open this feature to testers in the Xbox Insider Preview Program starting August 31, then gradually roll it out to all Xbox One and Xbox Series X users over the following months. Ronald stated: "We will start with thousands of games and continue to expand the supported list in the future. Although not all games will be supported at launch, this is an important step towards the future, allowing players to feel more confident that the games they purchase can still be owned and played years later."
Currently, this feature only supports physical discs for Xbox One and Xbox Series X, and does not support Xbox 360 or original Xbox games. Additionally, game publishers have the final say on compatibility, so not all titles will be supported at launch.
Microsoft stated that this initiative is part of a "broader commitment to game preservation," emphasizing that "as technology, devices, and distribution methods continue to evolve, ensuring access to the games people own is more important than ever." Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said: "Your physical game library is not just a collection of discs; it carries memories and stories worth preserving for years."
The announcement of this feature comes just weeks after Sony announced it would completely cease production of physical PlayStation game discs. According to Sony's plan, new PlayStation games released after January 2028 will only be available in digital format. In contrast, Microsoft has provided a clear migration path for existing physical game users, which the industry views as a move that respects player choice more during the transition from physical to digital.
Analysts point out that this feature is also preparing for the next generation of disc-less Xbox consoles. If future Xbox consoles remove the optical drive, "Disc to Digital" will become a key bridge connecting the physical game libraries of older consoles with the digital ecosystem of new ones.