A brand new patent means that Microsoft has designed a system that can permit the Xbox Sequence S to play bodily sport discs. Whereas Microsoft has not confirmed the product, the speculative system will solely permit digital console house owners to transform their bodily video games into downloadable copies.
As noticed by GameRant, the patent describes a system that can confirm that you just personal a bodily sport earlier than permitting you to entry its digital model for obtain on-line. The system will comprise two gadgets: one containing an optical drive that may learn sport discs and confirm possession; and a second to obtain video games.
Within the patent, Microsoft says such a system would alleviate issues about backward compatibility. Some avid gamers are reluctant to improve to the following console technology as they can’t port their present bodily Xbox sport libraries to digital-only techniques.
“Many next-generation online game gadgets in improvement are configured with out {hardware} parts to play the bodily online game setting,” the patent says.
“In consequence, when the proprietor of a earlier technology online game machine purchases a subsequent technology online game machine, the proprietor can’t play the bodily online game media,” he continues.
“As an alternative, the proprietor should repurchase the digital model of the online game content material for the following technology online game machine. This situation is undesirable for a lot of causes.”
we will hope
The machine described within the patent appears like a helpful characteristic. It won’t solely give console house owners entry to the again catalog of Xbox video games, but additionally permit them to buy video games with out having to undergo the official Xbox retailer. Bodily variations of video games can typically be discovered on Microsoft’s digital market for lower than listed costs, so filling your sport library with disc copies can generally be a extra handy means out.
Nevertheless, the patent leaves many particulars hanging within the air. First, it is unclear what the machine described within the patent will appear to be. It could take the type of a conventional exterior disk drive that have to be bought individually from the principle console, however it could be one thing else fully. An Xbox One, for instance, seems to have the ability to learn optical discs and hook up with Xbox servers, thus performing the identical perform.
Lastly, the patent does not specify what occurs to a disc copy of a sport as soon as it is verified. Every disc is prone to be authenticated solely as soon as to stop digital piracy, however it’s nonetheless unclear whether or not it may be used on a console not linked to Microsoft servers.