Rumors swirl regarding Xbox games' future: Will Microsoft phase out physical copies with The Outer Worlds 2 and Gears of War: Reloaded?
Revamped Rewrite:
Going All-Digital: Microsoft Ditches Physical Copies for Xbox Games
Microsoft's grand Xbox Games Showcase has stirred up some buzz, with pre-orders for recently showcased titles - like The Outer Worlds 2, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Ninja Gaiden 4 - going live on platforms such as Best Buy. However, a peculiar quirk has been noticed: none of the Xbox Series X|S editions of these games list physical copies, unlike their PS5 counterparts.
These Xbox versions of the games will only be delivered via email codes from retailers, with the Deluxe Editions coming with a physical case holding the code for redemption on Microsoft's digital marketplace. It's a curious dichotomy between the PS5 and Xbox editions, and with all three games lacking a physical disc option for Microsoft consoles, many fear that physical releases for Xbox titles might be on the way out. I've got to admit, it's got me worried too.
The ascension of digital game distribution has undeniably played a part in the decline of physical game releases over the years. Not only is downloading games more convenient, but it's also cheaper for publishers since they don't need to manufacture and distribute traditional discs. Even Microsoft's popular Xbox Game Pass service is purely digital.
Yet, many gamers still cling to physical copies, seeking control over their gaming library and the ability to sell or trade games on the used market. In an ideal world, having multiple options would be best, even if I've personally opted for digital-only gaming.
However, Microsoft seems to be moving towards an exclusively digital future for its games, contradicting Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer's statement last year that eliminating physical media wouldn't be a "strategic thing" for Xbox.
Xbox Play Anywhere on the Rise
But why is Microsoft ditching physical copies? Market trends, convenience, cost, and the rising popularity of Xbox Play Anywhere could all have a part to play. Xbox Play Anywhere games offer seamless multiplatform play, allowing users to enjoy their progression on both Xbox and Windows platforms without a second purchase (as long as they use the same Microsoft account).
Given that all three upcoming games without physical Xbox editions support Xbox Play Anywhere, the program could be a significant factor in Microsoft's digital-focused strategy. This strategy becomes even more plausible when considering that physical copies are less profitable than ever and Xbox Play Anywhere, exclusively supported digitally, is becoming increasingly valuable as multiplatform gaming grows in popularity.
Grab a Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month membership for $14.99 at CDKeys — a great way to gain access to a vast library of games spanning Xbox consoles, PC, and even Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web.
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Sources: 1) The Verge 2) IGN 3) Kotaku 4) GamesRadar 5) PC Gamer
- In light of the Xbox Games Showcase, games like 'The Outer Worlds 2' and 'Gears of War: Reloaded' are only available as digital downloads on Xbox Series X|S, with no physical copies in sight.
- As Xbox Play Anywhere gains popularity, offering seamless multiplatform play between Xbox and PC, the lack of physical copies in games might be a strategic move to focus on digital distribution.
- With the rise of Xbox Play Anywhere and the dwindling profitability of physical copies, Microsoft seems to be moving towards a fully digital future, contrary to Phil Spencer's previous statements about physical media.
- To access a wide variety of games across Xbox consoles, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, consider grabbing a Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month membership for $14.99 from CDKeys.
