Microsoft Debated Removing Xbox One's Disc Drive

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Dohc-WP

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Microsoft has revealed there was discussion about removing the Xbox One's disc drive, making the console digital-only.

Speaking to OXM, Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer revealed that even as late as E3 2013 there was discussion about whether the company "could get away with" removing the disc drive, though ultimately the size of games meant it didn't make sense.

"Obviously, after the announcement and E3, there was some feedback about what people wanted to change," he explained. "There was a real discussion about whether we should have an optical disc drive in Xbox One or if we could get away with a purely disc-less console, but when you start looking at bandwidth and game size, it does create issues.

“

When you start looking at bandwidth and game size, it does create issues.

"So we decided - which I think was the right decision - to go with the Blu-ray drive and give the people an easy way to install a lot of content. From some of those original thoughts, you saw a lot of us really focusing on the digital ecosystem you see on other devices - thinking of and building around that."

One of the big issues many people have with digital-only games is one of ownership: having a physical disc confers a reassuring sense of possession for gamers that games you purchase digitally can often lack.

It's likely the final decision had something to do with the company's about-face on many issues last year, especially the revised decision to allow Xbox One owners to play the console without an internet connection.

Source : IGN PRime
 
Does the Steambox come with a disc drive?

Still - you're cutting out a large portion of your market by excluding it.
 
Ser_Bunnylot said:
Does the Steambox come with a disc drive?

Still - you're cutting out a large portion of your market by excluding it.
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Well, the Steam box is just a PC when you get down to it so you can have a cup warmer if you buy one a plug it into the usb port.
But to answer your question, afaik the answer is no. It doesn't come with one but you can probably just plug a usb drive into it if you need it. I'm sure some manufacturers will also include a dvd or bluray drive in their Steam Boxes.
 
What bothers me is that the notion was considered in the first place. Clearly there are some very incompetent people in the high ranks at Microsoft.
 
Neo said:
What bothers me is that the notion was considered in the first place. Clearly there are some very incompetent people in the high ranks at Microsoft.
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They probably wanted to release an external usb Bluray drive at a later stage, slap an XBone logo on that baby and double the mark-up (if not the price outright).
 
I'd also imagine they were thinking about limiting piracy and game trading on the console as much as they can.
 
Neo said:
What bothers me is that the notion was considered in the first place. Clearly there are some very incompetent people in the high ranks at Microsoft.
Click to expand...

Why? Who needs a disc drive when there is content networks?

Of course the small print reads: Decent connections.
 
Necuno said:
Why? Who needs a disc drive when there is content networks?

Of course the small print reads: Decent connections.
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Agreed. I can't imagine when last I used the disc drive on my PC... Oh, that's right, back whenever I reinstalled my OS--some time around when Win8 was released.

I prefer digital over physical distribution.

Unfortunately, the world just wasn't ready for that. Says more about the world than it does Microsoft.
 
Yes because we all have uncapped Internet and don't need to decide between downloading half a game vs actually using our Internet during the month. Disks are also faster to instal on my pc vs downloading, nothing wrong with the world.
 
Ike_009 said:
Yes because we all have uncapped Internet and don't need to decide between downloading half a game vs actually using our Internet during the month. Disks are also faster to instal on my pc vs downloading, nothing wrong with the world.
Click to expand...

I think you just did an excellent job of describing precisely what is wrong with the world.
 
Lycanthrope said:
I think you just did an excellent job of describing precisely what is wrong with the world.
Click to expand...

I still think its less of the world's problem and more you looking down on those who can't afford uncapped that rivals Swedish connectivity.
 
Lycanthrope said:
Agreed. I can't imagine when last I used the disc drive on my PC... Oh, that's right, back whenever I reinstalled my OS--some time around when Win8 was released.

I prefer digital over physical distribution.

Unfortunately, the world just wasn't ready for that. Says more about the world than it does Microsoft.
Click to expand...

Nah, I prefer having a physical DVD. And last time I used it was Battlefield 4 since it was cheaper to buy it from BT Games than from Origin AND it was just a simple install from dvds vs a 26gb download or something like that :/
 
Okay okay. I'd like to add to my original statement. I only looked at it from the perspective that they were somehow contemplating "ignoring" external media in totality. That would be daft. You can't assume that people can download 25GB over the net for every game they want to purchase. But, if they were to "do away" with optical storage and rather release games on USB drives of some sort, that would be excellent and much faster any ways.

So in a way, like someone else said, it would be the same as going back to cartridges! Win!

p.s Imagine if they did get rid of external media methods of distribution. The impact on retailers would be devastating. I don't think that's going to happen any time soon at all. A lot of movies and series are available in digital format online, but you still have masses and masses of shops selling DVD's and blu-rays. I know some people prefer online delivery methods. But the market majority has always (and probably will always) prefer physical media over digital copies. It's the same with online shopping. It might be great to you, but the majority market still prefers physical retail shops where they have tactile interaction with the product(s) they intend to purchase. It's how it works.
 
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