Xbox CEO Asha Sharma offered a nuanced perspective on the future of physical games during a discussion about the company's next console, codenamed Project Helix. While not confirming whether the upcoming hardware will include a disc drive, Sharma emphasized Xbox's commitment to providing players with choices regarding how they purchase and engage with games.
Speaking with the BBC in August 2026, Sharma highlighted that efficiency and affordability are key considerations for next-generation hardware development. "This next generation, we have to be thinking about efficiency and affordability alongside performance," she stated. Sharma also noted the broader industry's need to innovate in these areas, particularly given current hardware and component challenges. "All of the industry needs to start to innovate on affordability and efficiency," she added. "That is something that we have not had to do. But with the crisis that's currently happening in hardware and components, it is absolutely something all of us need to be thinking about and innovating on and giving people more choice in terms of how they play their console and how they purchase their console."
Sharma acknowledged the enduring appeal of physical media alongside the benefits of digital distribution. "I know players love physical media, and I know there's a lot of benefits in digital media, and I want to make sure people have a choice. There are stacks of games on everybody's shelves," she remarked. This statement suggests a potential for continued support of physical games, despite the industry's general shift towards digital.
Xbox has recently bolstered its offerings for physical game owners with the official announcement of its disc-to-digital program. Following an earlier leak, the initiative was confirmed on August 26 during Gamescom and is slated to roll out for Xbox Insiders on August 31, with a broader release date yet to be announced. This program allows players to digitize their physical game collection into an online library.
The company's approach contrasts with recent industry trends, such as PlayStation's decision to cease the production of physical game discs starting in January 2028, a move that has reportedly been met with player dissatisfaction. Even highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto VI are reportedly foregoing physical discs in favor of digital codes provided within game cases, a decision supported by Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick, who suggested that discs "don’t really make sense for the consumer."
While Sharma remained circumspect about the specific features of Project Helix regarding physical media, previous reports have indicated that the console may be fully digital. Sharma's comments, however, leave open the possibility for player choice in the future.