Why an Xbox One with no Blu-ray drive is good for consumers

But options are good and so are lower prices; an Xbox One with no Blu-ray drive is good for consumers.

[JustPlay4]

That only good for people that like digital only like me, but there a lot that don't want that so it being cheaper wouldnt matter much (still don't want one)

[truefan1]

It's all about variety, we don't see apple only release one ipad or mac book. Many companies put different variations of the same product out to reach a wider customer base. I personally still prefer my blue-ray drive, but not having a drive and being cheaper may be good for some.

[demonddel]

Hey on n4g we don't play that when it's Microsoft now if Sony done this it would be Kool I kid I kid

[DeadMansHand]

Exactly. I like digital. Browsing the store see a game that looks cool and one click and it's downloading. However, there are some game I want to buy at a store. My favorite games I want the case and to feel the disc. Some games that I can't decide on ill buy physical copy so I know I have some trade in value. I'm lucky to have decent Internet and a 250gb cap that isn't enforced until 400ish.

If companies want to get me of the physical medium tit, give me reason to. A game that costs 60 bucks at store means 20 coming back when I go to trade it in. So...make digital games comparable. Charge me 40 for it so I'm not out any money. Plus, I will have the game forever which means if dlc comes Johnny come lately I'm more likely to buy it if I have a game on my hard drive compared to one I traded in 2 months earlier.

[erathaol]

As long as whoever buys it understands, that getting banned will cost you everything, than its okay in my book.

[minimur12]

it's good for online gamers, it's not good for anyone who wants to watch films from dvd/BD or people who like disc, or really, anyone who prefers something physical. So in my mind it has more downsides than upsides, being as only the digital preferee's will want it. and that's quite a small market in my opinion.

Sure I like digital for hte convenience but I do love those collectors editions :3

[Callediceman]

@DeadMansHand Well said sir.. Ive traded plenty of games i woulda bought dlc for. If i still had them.. TLUO, Forza 4 etc.. u give me a digital copy for 40 bones and odds are i will buy your dlc because i saved money on the initial purchase.

[DragonKnight]

Oh dear. I am ashamed a Canadian site wrote this.

Microsoft has no interest in making Live like Steam. It's not going to happen. The lack of a Blu-Ray drive isn't good for consumers because it's just Microsoft's way of moving the Xbox One back to their DRM platform that everyone was against in May and June.

Honestly, the shortsightedness of some people. And a Canadian wrote this. I am very disappoint.

[UltimateMaster]

It's only good if they have Steam-like sales.

...I don't see this happening tough...

[Giul_Xainx]

So instead of forcing a drm policy on us are they going to liquidate the current models and go completely discless? Wow... sad days ahead for the xbox camp... it was only a matter of time.

[Kryptix]

The main problem with digital only on a console is having a bandwidth cap. Some internet providers charge $10 for each extra 50GB after breaking the cap. With games now hitting 20+ GBs and in a few years using the whole disc space, you're going to be upgrading your internet and paying even more than just buying a console with a disc drive. The only way this won't fail like the PSP Go is if their digital marketplace does Steam-like sales. Those savings can really cut and balance out the extra internet fees. That's why Steam users don't mind paying for better internet.

[mark3214uk]

you would still lose out in the long run,you would gain from a cheaper console but for some stupid reason digital download games are more expensive than disc games

[T2]

Also see article on at&t trying to cap your Internet usage and fees... Big risk if that goes through... Fn terrible

[Kriandis]

I just think that it is funny that for every Xbox One sold Sony gets some money for the Blu Ray used in them.
OHHHH!! THE IRONY!

[ArmrdChaos]

I can't see why that should even matter. Sony has been selling PCs and laptops MUCH longer than that with Windows OS. Some are more easily amused than others I guess.

[ITPython]

Which is likely why MS is going to push hard for the diskless option.

MS has been talking about going digital-only for years now, they have been one of the biggest pushers of digital only gaming, videos, and other services. Why? Because they will be able to control it 100%, and can dictate to their customers what they can and cannot do with that content.

I bet at some point when they have the market captive, they will make people pay extra to re-play a game, or they will enforce time limits on purchased games and you will have to pay more to extend the time.

It may sound crazy, but just look at the XB1, all the services on the console are behind a paywall. They are slowly trying to get people to adapt to the idea of paying extra money for things they shouldn't have to. Essentially they are herding the sheep.

[ITPython]

Eh, if people want a digital only console that is controlled by MS, then more power to them. Some people actually enjoy being slaves and not owning anything.

Just have fun re-downloading all those 20+ GB games if the console, or HDD, fails on you. And you better hope your account doesn't get hacked or banned.

Oh yeah, hope your ISP is reliable, wouldn't want to miss that new game because your net was down or you reached your bandwidth cap.

And another thing, they are able to offer the console for $100 less because a $15 blu ray drive is not present. Which basically proves that MS is screwing everybody over who is buying the $500 version. What a nice company that truly cares about it's customers. Would be even funnier if the BD-less console is slimmer too.

Amazing so many people enjoy being read-ended by MS, must be some kind of fetish thing, or perhaps just a general lack of intelligence or common sense.

[Nodoze]

Stockholm syndrome for sure. Did IQ's sharply drop since launch? Remember all the oppressive DRM? Yeah with all digital they turn ALL of that back on.

Oh and enjoy your inability to change out the hard drive.

[Christopher]

If you already have a blu-ray player and prefer to go all digital, that's a fine solution for you. If you like paying more on average for your games, even better since disc prices go on sale much sooner and drop in price faster than console digital content prices.

I wouldn't say it's "good for consumers" as a blanket statement. To be honest, I can definitely see it as a trojan attempt at getting more people to go their initial route of digital only. And, that, currently, is not good for consumers.

[avengers1978]

No blu ray player kinda goes against there all in one set top box, doesn't it?

[kakashi81]

Not to be funny I would prefer the xbox one without the kinnect.

[greenlantern2814]

Correct, but it's not really all in one out side the U.S already.

[MrSwankSinatra]

the only way i see a xbox one without a disc drive being good for consumers is if.... they price digital games accordingly otherwise this serves no purpose.

[christocolus]

Ms is currently looking into reducing the price of digital games. Major nelson confirmed that recently.

@truefan

I agree, there should be more options available to consumers. I prefer my bluray drive too but there are people who wouldnt mind a discless drive. Those who have fantastic broadband speeds and want to go digital only

[Hicken]

You got a link for this "confirmation" of yours?

[christocolus]

http://www.ign.com/boards/t...

[greenlantern2814]

Just because he said they where "looking into dropping the price of digital games" doesn't mean they will. Sony made the same statement doesn't make it true.
They both should do it, let's wait and see if they do.

[WeedyOne]

If it had no Kinect I would be happier. I just don't like cameras looking at me all the time, I learned this after buying the original Kinect and PS move. Always had them facing down when not in use. Hell the only time I even played with them was like the 1st few days I had them just because they were exciting and new. I discovered that motion anything just isn't my game, I have a ps4 now and don't plan on buying the ps4 camera.

Hell if it would make the console cheaper make one without Kinect, no disk drive and give it an upgradable non-proprietary HDD. If its $350 or under id buy it in a heartbeat.

[stuna1]

Yeah and good luck downloading those 50+ GB games if you have a poor internet connection, data caps or, crappy providers who's services go down every time a leave rustles on the trees in your backyard.

[IanVanCheese]

I have a fairly poor net and I was worried downloads would take forever, but Tomb Raider (20Gb) only took a couple of hours, and it was playable at like 30%.

[air1]

I guess I'm one of the lucky handful of ppl that's doesn't have to worry about leaves and crappy service providers...

Sucks that I have to be held back due to ppl like you with crappy internet and leaves issues, so in a way I guess I'm not so lucky..

Edit@matt

This is n4g... They say batteries are ssoooo last gen, yet they have dial up for Internet... The irony!

[stuna1]

Yeah because it's not like I said I was one of the gamers who sufferers from the examples I listed! /s

How is that holding you back anyway? Truthfully I hope you become the very first adopter

[matt139]

I didn't realise people even had data caps in 2014. Where i live, broadband companies only offer unlimited broadband. I couldn't imagine being restricted to just a few GB per month, i must easily use almost a TB of data per month.

[cyguration]

*slow clap*

Good for you.

Too bad many of us live in America, where we get price-raped and data-capped by greedy mofos like Comcast and Timewarner and we don't get ANY choice in other service providers in the area.

[DeadMansHand]

Some are more fortunate. In Washington state I have Comcast. I get 250gb a month but as long as my history doesn't reflect torrent sites they let me slide to around 400ish for no extra charge. That's 8 full retail 50gb games. I'll never buy that many in one month. I usually buy 2 maybe 2 and play some online and stream some shows.

I think the big companies need to lean on ISP providers. Make a deal. Sony could say, "hey, we will let all Sony picture movies come out on comcast on demand before redbox and Netflix if you allow your users unlimited data if it's from a Sony webaddress. I'd be surprised if these types of conversations are not already going on.

[cyguration]

@DeadMansHand

Yeah, Sony is already making deals with UK ISPs, but nnothing for people living in America. You would think Microsoft would have cut some deals given their huge pitch for TV on your TV.

[air1]

Oh I see so your big heart just worries about all the other gamers, that's very gamer of you... You got so detailed with Internet problems I just figured leaves must be a nightmare for you..

How is it holding me back? Because your sarcasm is ridiculous, you are pretty much saying let's not move on to DD because of leaves, caps etc. as if everyone has those problems..

Why don't you try to be negative about it in a real meaningful way... I find it really hard to believe that anyone here on n4g has piss poor internet service, so who are you trying to reach out to with your sarcasm? Wouldnt DD pricing be a much better constructive criticism instead of leaves? You Sony fanboys are just too much..

[stuna1]

Reaching are we!? Seems like you're the one reaching out for something, considering the fact that you replied to my comment, not the other way around! To top it off you use the old tired quip "Sony Fanboy" as if those words will leave me sitting in a corner crying my little eyes out.

Last I checked I could speak on anything my big heart chose to speak on! Me pointing out the obvious shortcomings that a all digital console presents are no less valid, even if your narrow mind still fails to grasp it.....

Thanks the disagree air1, it really makes me feel vindicated.

[air1]

Lmfao! I'm reaching?! My goodness....

He'll if I'm reaching what should I consider "leaves kills my internet" to be? jumping mountains... Yes I responded to your comment, it just came off so stupid, technology does move forward you know... I remember the dreamcast being dial up and now in 2014 we can instantly play against ppl on the other side of the world by wifi, yet I'm the one with a narrow mind? C'mon the only one reaching with a tunnel vision is you..

I didn't call you a Sony fanboy to make you cry or sit in a corner, even though you should with that tunnel vision of yours, I'm just calling you what you are.. A Sony fanboy...

You are correct you can comment as much as your big heart wants and bubbles allow you, reality is that I can do the same with my bubbles. The other reality is that as I mentioned before..... TECHNOLOGY moves forward but I guess we should all wait until the entire world can DD a 50gig game in 5 minutes... Your argument would make sense with other ppl that have "leaves" issues or cap issues, now let's be honest..... Who here has those problems? So I'll ask again who are you trying to reach out to, or mountain jump, with your criticism? Be truthful, the Sony fanatic side of you got the best of you on this one...

One last question, is "Sony fanatic" a new enough word for you?

Edit..

Yes I did disagree with you so did someone else.... I assure you I did not take a bubble from you though, as ridiculous as you sound you did entertain me for a while and truly believe that no one should have a conversation cut short due to bubbles....

Edit

Look at dead hand mans comment on caps... Doesn't seem like he has a issue..

[stuna1]

Really you're still going on about leaves!? I kind of feel bad for you, because obviously you have a deep rooted issue with letting thing go! The thing is if you're adamantly focused on something so insignificant as leaves......it kind of paint a neurotic and depressing picture of what kind of person you actually are once you come out of that dark dungeon you call a basement. You know they have prescriptions to help you deal with the symptoms that my mention of leaves seems to have manifested? But anyway it was nice having this chat with you, and in the near future I hope you can move on to be a functioning member of society.

See that the thing about people, they think because someone makes a comment about a topic at hand, that they are somehow agreeing with the comment you make, which is narrow minded as I stated earlier, but on top off that going by the comments in this article alone the majority of the comments don't even come close to being on the same end of the spectrum that you seem to think.

The fact that you seem to think I was talking about your precious machine basically tells me that you're the one who actually has the issue or are you just in the closet to that fact???

[Milruka]

I still find it strange that these games would be anything above 5GB.

[stuna1]

I downloaded Killzone it was like 33GB, and although I could play it like 4 or 5 minutes into the download it still took a couple of hours to complete the full download. Not only that popular to other peoples belief, having different devices using your bandwidth continuously divides said bandwidth dependant on the amount of devices operating at the time.

The thing is a majority of gamers cant readily say they even have a 50MB internet connection, sure there are some but it becomes painfully obvious to the ones who don't by just going into a multiplayer match.

[Milruka]

33GB That's just stupid.. Even MMO's On PC have trouble taking up that much space. Heck Even the Witcher 2 only uses 19GB, That is a huge game.

Dark Souls Only uses 4GB of space on PC...What the heck are they putting in these games? Because its sure as heck not showing quality wise.

[Godmars290]

We'll all find out how good it is if it happens.

Boy, will some of us find out...

[MightyNoX]

I'm actually looking quite forward to it.

Removing the BluRay drive effectively cripples MS message about it being the 'All-in-one' device in the living room (now you're gonna have to buy a blu-ray player AND a cable box), so I'm interested to see how they'll spin it.

[Naga]

They'll probably just point to the various movie streaming services available as the source of movie entertainment. After all, if your target demographic is someone who wants to go all-digital, that person probably wouldn't be fazed by that.

[Godmars290]

@Naga:
Except who doesn't have a video collection? What casual gamer isn't aware that after a few months, physical game copies drop in price?

I mean you can bet that if this happens, the first real accusation is that MS plans to return to their original DRM plans. It will be the effective return of it.

Edit:
"does streaming come with all the features of a Bluray disc (Commentary, documentaries, extras)?"

Nope. Though some services are starting to offer them.

[MightyNoX]

@Naga: Honest question, does streaming come with all the features of a Bluray disc (Commentary, documentaries, extras)? I don't stream movies so I can't say for certain but if it's not, it still seems like you're giving up a lot more than what you're getting, imho.

@BakPain: XBox One acts as an intermediary between your set-up box and your TV. It is impossible for it to be the only device in your living room and acquire all functionality.

[LexHazard79]

Why would you have to buy a cable box? Are they getting rid of the hdmi pass thru?

[Naga]

@ Godmars290

Oh, I totally understand. Unless they include another HDMI input for Blu-ray players, it will likely undercut the all-in-one message (at least insofar as this version is concerned). My only point is that the target demographic won't care as much as the rest of us.

@ MightyNoX

To my knowledge, they don't. Though I've never given that sacrifice much thought, as I can count on my hand how many times I've watched the extra features of a film I have purchased. That said, I agree. I think all digital media options ought to be cheaper than their physical counterparts - it only makes sense.

[cyguration]

@BakPAin

In my area we don't use cable boxes but have digital cable converters instead. You have to buy a cable box separately (and pay a monthly fee to use it).

SO yeah, you would have to pay extra to watch TV on your TV with the dick-less Xbox One.

[air1]

I don't have a video collection... I just rent I rarely watch a movie again if I do it's because I seen it at the theaters then rented it for my second watch..

[FITgamer]

Sucks for the early adopters if it does happen. Now they can look at like they paid an extra $100 for half the HDD storage and blu-ray drive, instead paying extra for kinect.

[ThanatosDMC]

Not gonna work with current ISP data plan with annoying caps.

[TheBurger29]

make it disc less and kinect less so that i can get it for $300 to play a few exclusives. also better have 1-2 tb of space on it

[air1]

Why don't you just wait for what happens to every console on every gen.... A price drop ppl need to stop with the bs " take this this and that out sell it at this price and then I will buy...

If you want it your way buy a PC...

[TheBurger29]

i have an xbox one right now but nothing but problem after problem. im returning it to put the money towards a pc but still want it for the exclusives like halo and insomniacs new game. but the one is just so bad, my laptop with specs worse than the 360 runs skype and other entertainment apps better, dosent make sense to me. i just want it down to the console and a few exclusives with paying a crappy $500 for it

[GenericNameHere]

Boy, Microsoft do really like to do 180s, don't they? What was the Xbone all about again? Being an "All-in-One Home Entertainment System"? With a diskless Xbone, how would you achieve that? If you can't play DVDs or Blurays, then it's not "All-in-One". It would have just been better and smarter to remove Kinect. I bet if you sold Kinect 2.0 separately, millions of people would still buy one anyways.

[maniacmayhem]

The PS3 could only do everything! Except of course it really couldn't do everything.

It's called slogans.

[admiralvic]

"It's called slogans."

In this case it is branding (though it's all similar). They wanted people to think of it as the "all-in-one entertainment system", which is why they made some choices like the name. It was very much so centered around being more than a game console (even the reveal had its focus elsewhere), so they were very much so trying to sell the concept that it was the one and only entertainment system you needed.

[muttsurini]

Wow we have a 50 gig capped bandwith, this will never work out for me.

[Yo Mama]

Micro$oft is inching closer and closer to that original DRM mess they had planned.

It starts with removing the disc drive. Then obviously the digital games will be locked to that specific system. And lastly, they'll announce you must be connected to the internet before they'll work.

Just wait and see.

[xDHAV0K24x]

So whats the problem?

[04STIBluByU]

Hey man...let me enlighten the problem...is the mainstream will say...cool they lowered the price, now I can get one and play the back catalog of games...Maybe I can borrow from a friend? Sorry Sir...No disc drive...Wait so I cant actually buy new or used games and have a physical copy? Nope...What about playing movies like DVD or Blu-Ray? Nope...just streaming only...This is why I dont think the masses will adopt the Disk-less XB1, maybe the hardcore who wants to download everything, but the masses will just wait for the OG XB1 to go down in price...thats my take on the problem. Although it seems like a smart plan since they could get consumers in the door based on price and then if they don't like digital one they may say oh well I will just get the OG XB1 since I am here anyway...or they could get the PS4, it's a ballsy move and you have to give credit to them for trying!

[OrangePowerz]

Having a cheaper console is good for consumers. Not sure what is good about digital only and no disc based movie playback and only DRM locked movies, streaming or cable TV.

If MS wants to give consumers a choice they should make a Kinect free bundle.

[xDHAV0K24x]

How was ur transition from cd player to ipod?

[maniacmayhem]

Make two sku's, one with a Blu-ray drive that has a 1TB HDD and another that's Blu-ray less with 1TB. And make them both upgradable.

[sprinterboy]

Love my playstation stuff but a bluRay less Xbone Definately has got my radar activated that bit more, I would pay £279 for a bluRay less Xbone just for ms exclusives defo.

[xDHAV0K24x]

I hate installing games. Damn u ps3. U started this crap. Idc for blu ray at all

[imt558]

How Xbone without BD can be All-In-One system? Ditch BD drive, Microsoft, your consumers can forget about cheap disc based games at Gamestop etc...

Btw. cost of BD is about 30$! Forget then about 100$ cheaper Xbone.

[sprinterboy]

Yep I am way off on the 279 lol, maybe 2016 though

[HappyWithOneBubble]

MS can't be serious doing something this crazy is they? Of course they are.

http://replygif.net/i/1245....
http://i.imgur.com/BdwgR.gi...
http://i437.photobucket.com...
http://media.tumblr.com/tum...
http://nojesguiden.se/sites...

[Master-H]

Advantages:
-slightly lower price
-can take it anywhere with you without bringing game/cases for instance can login on a friend's console and DL(which is annoying) then play your games if there's internet.

Disadvantages:
-you got the data caps problem, people struggled with downloading a 13 GB update for Dead Rising 3 well how about 40+ GB for each game..
-goodbye used games and hello back DRM.

Might be attractive for some digital only guys, but i still would've preferred a kinect-less one.

[Gore-Content]

Oh, **** please. **** **** please stop right **** here! Of course it took no time for some **** to come out and defend (and promote) M$'s new (old) digital strategy. But this **** here has absolutely no shame making it sounds like it's the most plausible thing to happen next to gaming. What a **** ****.

[Naga]

All of that morse code has me confused as to what you are actually saying, sir.

[Bathyj]

Can some explain to me as I asked in another thread, how dropping Bluray and putting a bigger HDD is going to save 100 bucks.

This isn't 2006. Blurays are not that expensive anymore. Just the redesign and reconfiguring their manufacturing would cost millions.

[HyperBear]

I still can't believe he said this:

"No disc drive means that Microsoft could possibly slash the console’s price as much as $150, putting it either in-line with the PlayStation 4′s price tag or possibly slightly under it."

$150 Blu-Ray drive??? What year is this 2008? Yeah it can't be in that included Kinect that has the price higher than the PS4 eh?

I cant believe he thinks that. Plus, him being a "Canadian" game/technology writer, he should know Canada ISPs have tons of different data cap levels (And to get unlimited data, it costs between $190-$240/month). Yes there will be a small niche market for a disc-less, 1TB Digital-Only Xbox One, but to think that taking the bluray drive out will slash the price $150 is beyond me.

[level 360]

Therein lies a big problem -- what about most emerging countries whose internet connection speed and services have yet to be vastly improved?

I also think Microsoft can't still get over losing HD-DVD terribly over Blu Ray.

[Codey47]

Microsoft wasn't fully committed to HD DVD.

It were mandatory to support DOLBY True HD audio codec. Which the XBOX 360 did not support or have any compliance, even to this day.

They were more focused on a digital future at the time.
an excerpt from article dated 2009

"Instead, Microsoft has focussed on offering on-demand video streaming via its Xbox Live service, including 1080p high-definition movie content, as well as thousands of other movies and television shows through partners like Netflix. Of course, these services are available only to Xbox Live subscribers, "

http://www.digitaltrends.co...

What I can't fathom out is why MS didn't put HD-DVD drives in their slim revamp SKU and make the format their own...that would of put a stop to multiple disc issues.
Obviously it would of forced original Xbox users to upgrade...but that's never bothered MS before.

[MadMen]

Think on this butter cup.

MS could make a non disc drive, no Kinect, with a subsidized sign up for comcast cable system for 99 dollars.

Trust me, its being talked about in Redmond.

[jacksjus]

Here is why it isn't good.
1. No resell value in purchased games. Let's say you buy a game and you beat it in a few days and to you it has no replay value. So now what?
2. The digital download games should come cheaper than the disc based versions. I mean no packaging or shipping fees so why are they still $60 like a physical copy?

[jay2]

Dude, you pay what we paid last gen for next gen games, UK are paying $90 so think your self lucky.

[jacksjus]

You mean the Euro equivalent is $90? Gotdayummm!

[giggsy13]

sold my xbox it is utter shite. I want a digital collection that doesnt cost me £50 a game. Steam machine here I come, FU MS

[jay2]

It's bad, the Internets not ready to DL 50GBs.

[RandomDude655]

PSP GO version 2....except this will bomb harder

50 gig games on networks that are heavily capped. At least with the GO/Vita, you can use someone else's bandwidth.

[josephayal]

sorry, no disc no buy

[maniacmayhem]

Then buy the One with a disc.

[DEEBO]

there is nothing wrong with options,its up the consumer to pick what is right.
The x1 needs a price drop and the disc grinding is not a good look,MS needs to work on the game start up time maybe with the cloud.

I just seen article about AT&T charging more for playing games online and that is something consumers need to think about is their ip provider.
But if drops the price of the hardware then that's great!

questions is the steam machine going to use disc too?

[blackbirdi]

how much microsoft pays you for this articel ?

[TrueJerseyDevil]

This is only a good idea for people who have good internet and can download huge gigabyte updates and downloads quickly

[AKissFromDaddy]

"This could be the start of Microsoft’s aspirations to turn the Xbox Marketplace into a Steam-like store (albeit probably with much higher prices). Games would be accessible earlier, assuming day one digital releases would drop at the same time as traditional retail games."

Microsoft can start a Steam-like store now. The current size of Xbox One's current & future hard disk drive has a minimal impact on the prices. Its like flipping a switch, just offer it. Am I wrong? If yes, please explain with details and examples.

"A cheaper console sounds like a great idea, but this also could end up being a trojan horse, giving Microsoft the opportunity to implement its original vision for the Xbox One, complete with all the DRM the internet hates so much."

In my experience, as long as games are equivalently priced or at least close to Steam's or GOGs, most people won't care about DRM because the prices are worth the risk(s) of entry.

Am I wrong? If yes, please explain with details and examples.

[McScroggz]

I'm no expert, but it's not a simple as saying "take out the optical drive and cut costs." Microsoft would have to commit to a certain amount of them, which costs money. Then they have to sell a console without an optical drive, something that the industry just isn't ready for.

It's actually anti-consumer with how things are now. There isn't a way to resell digital games, and digital copies of games are notorious for being priced much higher than retail copies. Not to mention most people don't have a great connection, making downloads take a while. Certainly games are being made to be playable after a little bit has been downloaded, but it's far from perfect.

This is just a bad idea for Microsoft and for fans. Good options are always welcome, but bad options aren't better for consumers just because we have a choice.

[pabadamus1]

This will not happen any time soon. A Kinect-less sku has a greater possibility of existence. MSFT needs brick and mortar retail and a move such as this would be a shotgun blast to Gamestop's face. Such a move would ensure Sony's dominance because Gamespot would have to drop support for the X1 out of self preservation. Even if MSFT introduced this as an optional sku alongside the current version I see retail partners that depend on software sales retaliating in some form.

[belleau86]

Stupid articles just blow me away man. That just sounds stupid Xbox sucks nuff said.

[robleroy]

NO DISC is just another word for:
DRM

[daedra]

That would be dumb, I pay 65, I demand at least a physical disc, that's alot of money, this ain't no surgery

[04STIBluByU]

DRM = Disc Removed Mentality. Options are not always great. Hence the term "The lesser of two Evils"

[Gamer666]

I never liked blu-ray being shoved down my throat to begin with. If X1 would've launched with a no blu-ray edition I would've bought it instead.

On both PS4 and X1, I have only bought digital this generation. That's the way I want to keep it.

[D-riders]

gamer you should change your name. becuase saying you dont want physical media is like say f**k classics. a blu- ray player is s deal breaker. wowo somepeople live in a bubble. who doesnt like options thats like going out to eat and only having one thing to order

[Gamer666]

Your the non-gamer and you're living in the bubble.

PC gamers have used steam for years. PSN and XBLA only distribute digitally.

I travel a lot. Having digital games makes it easier for me to log into different consoles and play the games I own. I don't need a Blu-ray drive or discs everywhere I go. It just makes sense for my gaming scenario.

[feraldrgn]

Does this mean they'll be competing with Steam as well?

[NeoTribe]

Have fun with a 500gig hd and no deals on games. Sounds great.

[sungam3d]

Ah yes, xbox one.
The all in one media entertainment device, that can't play any of the dvd's or blueray movies you have already purchased, forcing you to buy them again via their digital download store.

Sounds like a great idea!

[quaneylfc]

an all in one machine that makes you rely on a blu ray player to watch the discs you own?

[D-riders]

lmao, then you should probably get a steam box

[SilentGuard]

An Xbox one with a blu-ray drive and no Kinect would be better. The disc drive is more useful as an all-in-one device should have the ability to play movies from disc.