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We've been pondering for a while now about whether Xbox might choose to avoid including a disc drive in the next-gen Project Helix console, and a new report suggests that might indeed be the case.
Windows Central's Jez Corden has mentioned that based on "hints" he's received about the nature of Xbox Project Helix, it will be "a fully digital system, similar to today's gaming PCs, laptops, and most modern devices".
"I thoroughly expect the next-gen Xbox "Helix" console-PC hybrid to be without a disc drive. Hints I've received about the nature of the box increasingly point to the idea that it will be a fully digital system, similar to today's gaming PCs, laptops, and most modern devices."
For what it's worth, he also goes on to mention that he'd be "incredibly surprised" if the PS6 didn't end up going the same way, although there's obviously the potential for a disc drive add-on for both systems.
However, he also highlights that based on some very early investigations, Xbox might be working on some kind of disc-to-digital program that would provide entitlements based on your physical library. The key thing here is that details are said to be "incredibly scant", and even Jez himself says you should take this with "a huge pinch of salt".
"Codename "Positron," from what we can tell, could be some form of disc-to-digital entitlement program. The details here are incredibly scant right now and investigations are on-going. It might not be exactly as it seems right now from the details we've received, so take this with a huge pinch of salt and a healthy dose of speculation for now."
Corden says that he's going to "try and find out more, starting with if it's actually even real" — so again, don't take any of this as fact right now. It certainly sounds intriguing at the very least though, especially considering the mountain of original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Series X titles that we own in physical form already!
At the same time, we wouldn't want to see disc drives going away entirely in the next console generation, as we still enjoy collecting physical Xbox games and they're also important for game preservation reasons. While a disc-to-digital program would be very welcome, it'd be a huge shame for Project Helix not to support disc drives whatsoever.
But what do you think? Would you be interested in this kind of idea? Let us now in the comments below.