An Xbox One S without a UHD Blu-ray reader? It would be Microsoft's plan to end the game in physical format

We know that for some time now Microsoft has been looking at the future of the video game and in it the physical support does not appear as a protagonist. What's more, not even the download of digital games seems destined to dominate the market in the distant future, although this step is still a long way off.

It is the physical game that seems to have its days numbered Xbox Game Pass or Xbox All Access are good examples of this. An example of why companies are seeing a gold mine in subscription services to keep us hooked.We are already seeing it in the _streaming_ of music or video and video games are the next frontier.

In the case of Microsoft, it seems that they have already prepared the next step with their two subscription video game services. A step in the form of _hardware_ which is what the arrival of an Xbox One S that will not have a Blu-ray UHD disc player will mean

Microsoft excuses that under this cut in benefits by not including the Blu-ray UHD drive, it will be able to offer the console at a significantly lower price , so much so that a drop is being considered that will leave the console for a little less than 200 dollars.

But under this cut what we find is one more step to end the game in physical format in a commitment to the market digital. With this console we would be limited to digital games, therefore depending on a commensurate bandwidth that does not make the experience unbearable.

This console, the Xbox One S, would be a kind of test bench to test the maturity of the digital gaming market. It is not explained except that they launch their most modest console under this format and do not make the same bet with the almighty Xbox One X.

Depending on the results, we could later see a future _top_ Microsoft console competing with a possible PlayStation 5 that would also arrive without disc drive.

We are prepared?

The question that remains is if we are prepared for this type of iteration Are we willing to abandon the physical format? Okay, now We don't have the masterpieces that we found in the days of the Mega Drive or Super NES with the huge illustrated booklets inside the cases accompanying the cartridge, but many of us like to have the games well stored on the shelf and organized in their cases.

Digital game? Yes, of course, but never at the same price as the physical format, something that is not at all logical when companies are saving enormous manufacturing and distribution costs.

Even tighter limits on subscriptions We pay forever, a modest price, but we pay it. Month after month, year after year, and if at some point we stop paying, we will have nothing. It is the bet of all types of industry... even the automobile joins this trend with continued leasing. We pay to enjoy a good, not to make it ours.

This Xbox One S would be the first touch test A machine that is expected to be released in the spring of 2019, although the company has not ruled on this information. We will be attentive to the movements that mark what may be the first step to address a new future.

Source | Polygon