Leaked survey suggests Xbox weighing physical disc support for next-gen "Project Helix" console
A reportedly leaked Xbox Insider Hub survey asks fans to rate how necessary a physical disc drive is for Microsoft's next console, as Sony moves to end disc manufacturing by 2028.
What to know
- The report rests on screenshots from a now-deleted X post, not an official Microsoft statement, and it's unclear whether other Xbox Insiders received the same survey questions.
- Sony has already committed to ending physical PlayStation disc manufacturing by 2028, raising the question of whether Xbox will follow or differentiate itself by keeping disc support.
- Even if Project Helix includes a disc drive, it may only support backward-compatible older Xbox discs rather than new physical game releases.
- Xbox's disc-to-digital program and recent financial reports are cited as context for why the company may be leaning digital-first despite the survey.
The dispute Whether Microsoft's survey reflects a genuine intention to keep physical discs on Project Helix or is a low-cost way to gauge/placate fan sentiment without committing to a disc drive. · positions read across 13 posts and comments
Fans want continued physical disc support for games and other media, and would favor Xbox over PlayStation for offering it.
-
“Even if for whatever reason the next generation doesn't have physical games, it would be nice to have a drive in a new console for other forms of media.”
PKozyra64 · Reddit ↗
Skeptical that either company genuinely wants to preserve physical media rather than exploit the goodwill for marketing.
-
“will it happen? Maybe in a way temporsry but more a gotcha moment to get some fans microsoft scared away but both want discless so more monopoly and money for themselves. So screw em both”
Consistent_Run8637 · Reddit ↗
Discs remain a cheaper, practical storage medium than flash memory given growing game sizes, though the cost gap may narrow.
-
“A 100gb bluray can be at most $3-4 to use, a 128gb express SD card which is similar speeds to what nintendo needs is like $30-40.”
Swiperrr · Reddit ↗
Microsoft/Xbox Console makerSony Competing console maker (PlayStation)@XboxTimDog X user / leakerPower Up Gaming Outlet that first reported the leaked survey
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments
-
3
Polygon covers the leak, ties it to Xbox's financial pressures
Polygon reiterates the Power Up Gaming report, noting Microsoft has not confirmed whether Project Helix will go all-digital and framing physical disc support as a potential competitive advantage over the PlayStation 6 given Sony's move away from discs.
“Xbox has reportedly been asking some players whether physical disc support would be a feature they'd want to see in its next console.”
— Polygon -
first by Polygon, 1d ago
-
I didnt read it so cant say, but i not picking sides, screw microsoft and sony and wont be getting either. Am i for physical discs yes, will it happen? Maybe in a way temporsry but more a gotcha moment to get some fans microsoft scared away but both want discless so more monopoly and money for themselves. So screw em both
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
-
The problem of an add-on becomes does it serve as reasonable enticement for publishers to print discs? That's going to be a pretty marginal install rate, if it's not built into at least one of the SKUs.
-
Oh I wonder what my answer would be- OF COURSE YES THAT WOULD ALREADY BE A ADVANTAGE IT WOULD HAVE OVER THE PS6
-
-
2
Reddit users debate physical media's future on next-gen consoles
Commenters weigh in on the leak, some expressing hope for continued disc support (including backward compatibility and other media), others arguing physical discs are cheaper per-gigabyte than flash storage, and some voicing skepticism that either Microsoft or Sony genuinely wants to keep physical media alive.
“Even if for whatever reason the next generation doesn't have physical games, it would be nice to have a drive in a new console for other forms of media.”
— PKozyra64 -
Even if for whatever reason the next generation doesn't have physical games, it would be nice to have a drive in a new console for other forms of media. I gave my dad my Xbox One X and he's loving it that I can play all his CDs, DVDs and now he is getting into Blu-Ray. The new console could also continue to support the physical disc, backwards…
2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
-
They're also crazy expensive compared to disks. A 100gb bluray can be at most $3-4 to use, a 128gb express SD card which is similar speeds to what nintendo needs is like $30-40. Sure mass production can get that price down a bit but right now flash memory is EXPENSIVE.
-
Fair enough, at least we agree on SD Cards. That said, some games are exceed 100GB's in total downloaded format so the issue still stands, just delayed further. AI Upscaling may save us in the ever growing need for storage but we'll see.
-
-
1
Power Up Gaming reports leaked Xbox survey on disc support
Citing a now-deleted post from X user @XboxTimDog, Power Up Gaming publishes images purporting to show an Xbox Insider Hub survey asking fans to rate next-gen Xbox features, including physical disc installation, on a scale of Not Necessary, Nice to Have, or Must Have.
“install games from a physical disc…”
— Xbox Insider survey (via @XboxTimDog)
What people are saying 7 voices from 1 site · best of 13 · verbatim
- Will other Xbox Insiders confirm receiving the same physical-disc survey question?
- If Project Helix has a disc drive, will it support new physical game releases or only legacy backward compatibility?
- Sep 22
-
Xbox is doing good in PR. Is not the first time, they will stay microslop. And gamers will cry here on reddit.
-
Oh, and you're pretending that you're fighting a good fight? Like, just go back 4chan
-
Redditors who did research, so randos on reddit better than randos on twitter, somehow got it.
- Sep 21
-
If they do this, I would gladly go from being a Sony fan to Xbox again since the 360 days.
-
Of course the option for physical media would be good, for both games and movies on disc.
-
Lots of companies would "like" to do certain things in a vacuum that their competitors would capitalize on. That is why corporate competition is good.
-
A lot of the really rural parts of the US still lag way behind in internet, although things like starlink have helped. I'm sure people appreciate a physical option as long as day one patches of 40gb can calm down.