Physical Media Is Making a Comeback. The Next Console Generation Might Kill It

Next-generation consoles are expected to arrive around the late 2020s, with standard upgrades such as faster processors, more powerful GPUs, and more storage. Sony has teased a future console, while Microsoft has confirmed the next Xbox is codenamed Project Helix, likely in 2028. Despite a shift away from discs in the current generation, keeping a 4K Blu-ray disc drive would support backward compatibility with older physical games. Many modern “on disc” releases increasingly provide only installation data or tokens for digital versions, which reduces value for collectors. Maintaining disc support would counter that trend and preserve access to physical media.

"Gamers can probably expect all of the standard customary upgrades-faster processors, more powerful GPUs, more storage, all if component supplies and manufacturing capacities allow for them. But there's one feature both Sony and Microsoft absolutely must keep, whatever the next gen ends up looking like: the not-so-humble 4K Blu-ray disc drive."

"This might seem an odd argument to make. After all, both companies seem to have been retreating from discs since day one of the current generation. Both the Xbox Series S and the PS5 Digital Edition lack a disc drive, and Sony even dropped the feature from the more powerful PS5 Pro-though both that and the Digital model can be upgraded with the sold-separately disc drive peripheral."

"Already, many "on disc" releases contain only an installation pack or bearer token for a digital version of the game, much like the Nintendo Switch 2's Game Key cards, as file sizes exceed even the 100 GB of data that can be stored on a triple-layer 4K Blu-ray. For collectors or fans of physical media, the direction of travel already looks depressing."

"However, there are plenty of reasons why both manufacturers should cling to a disc drive. The most obvious is to support backward compatibility with older games, a hugely attractive feature for console owners. Both businesses recognize this, and both support older disc games as well as digital versions."

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