Sony has already shown its hand: the PS6 console will not have an optical drive. This move angered some of the most dedicated gamers, but it also opened up a different path for Xbox. Will Project Helix include an optical drive? Currently, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma sidestepped this question during an interview. When the BBC asked whether Microsoft's next-generation console, Project Helix, would continue to support game discs, she declined to answer.
Sharma said: "For the next generation of consoles, we must balance efficiency and pricing while considering performance. As Xbox, our responsibility as we continue developing the next generation of consoles is to pay attention to what's happening in the world and create the best experience for our players."
All signs suggest that Microsoft will likely follow Sony's lead and abandon optical discs when launching its new hardware.
In fact, Xbox has already done this. Although the current Xbox Series X has a version with an optical drive, the more popular Series S does not. Data research firm Circana reports that, as of 2026, Xbox games account for only 4% of total revenue from new physical games in the United States.
But just as PlayStation's public image suffered from a series of unpopular decisions, Microsoft found a way to counter Sony.
During a live segment at Gamescom, Xbox announced a new plan to convert physical games into digital licenses. The host opened by noting: "There has been considerable discussion recently regarding the licensing and ownership of games purchased by players." Jason Ronald, head of next-gen Xbox consoles, responded: "Even as technology changes and formats evolve, your game library should not change." This remark was clearly aimed at players dissatisfied with the current state of PS6.
Sharma told the BBC: "I know players love physical media, and I know digital media has many advantages. I want to ensure people have choices. We have long been pioneers in backward compatibility, so you will continue to see this as we move forward into future generations."
This is a good alternative for a company that may also be considering removing the optical drive from its next-generation hardware. Optical drives add cost, and like Sony, Microsoft is likely racing against time to find ways to ensure that the upcoming console does not exceed $1,000.
This is due to a significant rise in memory and storage costs, largely driven by companies like Microsoft themselves competing for the future of AI. When asked whether Microsoft itself might make its next-generation console unaffordable, Sharma reportedly stated: "AI is fundamentally changing many things."