Xbox is reportedly developing a system to convert disc games into digital licenses

A new report by journalist Jez Corden from Windows Central suggests that Microsoft Gaming is working on two strategic initiatives for the future of the Xbox ecosystem. The first involves a Game Pass service specifically designed for China, while the second aims to enable the conversion of purchased physical games into permanent digital licenses.

The project dedicated to the Chinese market is internally identified by the codename "Project Saluki". China has always been a complex territory for companies in the gaming sector, as the distribution of software and services is subject to strict rules and a detailed approval system from local authorities. For this reason, Microsoft cannot simply offer the current Game Pass catalog but must create a specific version of the service. According to the report, Saluki would focus on the few games that manage to obtain publishing approval and would give particular emphasis to the most popular titles, with a strong focus on monetization models based on microtransactions.

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The second initiative, known by the codename "Positron," could have the most significant implications for players. Although information is still limited, Microsoft is considering a system that would allow owners of disc games to obtain a corresponding digital license to associate with their account.

The most plausible hypothesis is that the conversion could be performed only once per disc, thus avoiding unauthorized multiple uses. In this way, users could continue to access their titles even on future consoles without optical drives, without having to purchase the same games again in digital format. This solution would fit into a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the digital distribution model. Additionally, an important consideration is the licensing costs of Blu-ray technology: Microsoft, not being part of the consortium that manages it, has to bear expenses to integrate optical drives into its consoles, unlike Sony, which is a member of the consortium. At the moment, there are no official announcements from Microsoft, and all information remains speculative.