Xbox introduces Disc-to-Digital program for physical games

Microsoft has introduced a ‘Disc-to-Digital’ program for Xbox, allowing players to convert physical game discs into digital licenses linked to their accounts. Currently being tested by Xbox Insiders, the feature enables users to play games on digital-only hardware, such as the Xbox Series S, or on PCs, without needing the original disc.

Early testing indicates the program may serve as a significant tool for game preservation, as it reportedly works for some delisted titles like ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Rock Band 4’ that are no longer available for purchase in digital storefronts. The system is designed to prevent scalping; if a physical disc is sold, the original owner retains the digital license, and the new owner must redeem the disc to claim their own digital entitlement.

While the initial compatible list includes hundreds of titles such as ‘Elden Ring’, ‘Starfield’, and various ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games, compatibility is not universal and depends on publisher permissions. The feature also extends to certain DLC content, allowing players to digitize add-ons associated with their physical base games. This initiative arrives as competitors like Sony move toward phasing out physical disc production.