The Next Xbox Might Deliberately be Missing a Big Feature

According to a new report, Microsoft could release a new console in 2019, but it's not going to be a next-gen console. Rather it's a console update that will be disc-less, meaning players will have to download their digital games. The upside is that the price is expected to be $200 or less.

The console update is not expected to be part of the next-gen Project Scarlett family of devices that Microsoft is reportedly working instead. Instead, Thurrott is reporting that Microsoft's new console update next year will do away with physical media, meaning it will only play games downloaded from your digital library.

This wouldn't just be for new customers however. Microsoft apparently has a 'disc-to-digital' plan that will let customers turn their physical Xbox One games into digital downloads by taking them to participating retailers, like Microsoft Stores, and trading in the discs for digital games.

The report states that this could lower the price of the console from the current $299 to as low as $100. At the very least the console is expected to be $200 or less.

If that wasn't enough Microsoft is apparently working on a slimmer, cheaper Xbox One S though it is expected to keep a disc drive. There are apparently ongoing discussions as to whether the next-gen Scarlett will keep a disc drive, but those discussions are ongoing.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer attended the X018 fan event in Mexico City and in an interview explained that streaming would not replace traditional gaming, which could have been brought up since one of the rumors for a new Scarlett console was that it was streaming-only.

However, going all-digital for a platform would keep the games native while eliminating the need for physical media. But it seems that Microsoft isn't doing away with disc drives all-together, instead offering tiered options for players. Plus, Microsoft services like Game Pass facilitate digital game collections anyways and would work well with an all-digital console.

Also the last console that went all digital, the PSP Go, didn't fare too well if we're being honest.