Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is not abandoning physical games entirely, despite speculation surrounding its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. In a recent interview with the BBC, Sharma highlighted the critical need for affordability and efficiency in next-generation hardware, a departure from previous industry norms.
"This next generation, we have to be thinking about efficiency and affordability alongside performance," Sharma stated. "All of the industry needs to start to innovate on affordability and efficiency. That is something that we have not had to do [previously]. But with the crisis that's currently happening in hardware and components, it is absolutely something all of us need to be thinking about, innovating on, and giving people more choice in terms of how they play their console and how they purchase their console."
When questioned directly about Project Helix potentially lacking a disc drive, Sharma did not provide a definitive answer. Instead, she reiterated her commitment to offering players choices in how they acquire their games. "I want to make sure people have a choice. There are stacks of games on everybody's shelves," she said, suggesting a continued appreciation for physical media among consumers.
Xbox has been gradually preparing for a shift away from physical games through initiatives such as Smart Delivery, Play Anywhere, and the recently launched disc-to-digital program. These programs aim to ease the transition for players while still accommodating those who prefer physical copies.
This approach contrasts with Sony's stated direction toward an all-digital future for its PlayStation consoles. Reports suggest that PlayStation owners may be limited to a single digital storefront without consumer-friendly features like refunds or gifting, a model that has drawn criticism compared to PC platforms like Steam. This potential lack of choice has reportedly led to negative reactions from consumers online.
While Project Helix is rumored to be a digital-only console to reduce production costs, it is also expected to maintain backward compatibility with older games. Given the functionality of the new disc-to-digital program, players might consider keeping existing Xbox consoles to ensure access to their physical game libraries should the next-generation hardware omit a disc drive.