The era of physical media is gradually waning, yet Xbox seems intent on keeping it alive despite the availability of a disc-less console.
In a recent interview with Game File, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, discussed the company’s stance on physical media, emphasizing that while they support it, they prioritize customer demand.
Spencer stated, “We ship games physically and digitally, and we’re really just following what the customers are doing. And I think our job in running Xbox is to deliver on the things that a majority of the customers want. And right now, a majority of our customers are buying games digitally.”
He further highlighted the unique position of gaming consoles as one of the last consumer electronic devices still incorporating a drive. Spencer underscored the challenges associated with this, noting the dwindling number of manufacturers producing drives and the consequential impact on costs.
He elaborated, “And when you think about cogs that we’re going to go put in a console–and as you have fewer suppliers and fewer buyers–the cost of the drive does have an impact.”
Despite the industry’s shift towards digital distribution, Spencer reassured fans of physical media that Xbox’s strategy isn’t solely reliant on an all-digital future. This assurance holds particular significance in light of last year’s revelation regarding Xbox’s development of a digital-only mid-gen Xbox Series X.
