Xbox CEO Remains Tight-Lipped on Project Helix’s Disc Drive, Emphasizing Efficiency and Affordability

Sony has made it clear: the PlayStation 6 will not support new game discs. This decision has sparked frustration among some of the most dedicated fans, but it also opens the door for Xbox to explore a different direction. Will Project Helix include a disc drive? For now, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is keeping that under wraps.

When asked by the BBC whether Microsoft’s next-gen console will support game discs, Sharma opted not to provide a direct answer. Instead, she emphasized the need to focus on efficiency, affordability, and performance in this upcoming generation. “Our job as Xbox is to consider what’s happening in the world and create the best experience for our players,” she stated.

It seems likely that Microsoft will follow Sony’s lead in moving away from physical discs with its new hardware. The current Xbox Series X does have a disc version, but the more popular Series S does not. Research from Circa indicates that Xbox games accounted for only 4 percent of all revenue from new physical game sales in the U.S. in 2026.

However, Microsoft has found a way to take a jab at Sony while the PlayStation brand faces backlash from a series of unpopular decisions. During a segment of its Gamescom livestream, Xbox introduced a new program that allows players to convert physical games into digital licenses. The host noted, “There has been a lot of discussion lately around ownership and rights to the games that you buy.” In response, Jason Ronald, Xbox’s head of next-gen, remarked, “Even as technology changes and formats change, your library shouldn’t,” clearly addressing the concerns of those unhappy with the PS6 situation.

“I know players love physical media, and I understand the benefits of digital media, and I want to ensure people have a choice,” Sharma told the BBC. She also mentioned, “We’ve long been pioneers in backwards compatibility, and you’ll continue to see that as we move forward in the generations.”

This approach could serve as a solid alternative for a company that might also be considering eliminating disc drives in its next console. Discs add to production costs, and like Sony, Microsoft is likely eager to avoid a console price tag exceeding $1,000. This concern is heightened by rising memory and storage costs, largely driven by the tech industry’s push toward AI advancements. “AI is fundamentally changing a lot of things,” Sharma reportedly said when discussing the potential impact on the affordability of Microsoft’s next gaming console.