Microsoft has launched its Xbox disc-to-digital licensing program, allowing owners of certain games to access a digital version of them with a license. The method is somewhat similar to what owners of physical media such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs for television and movies have been doing for years with services such as Movies Anywhere and Fandango (formerly VUDU), but with a slight twist. Instead of going online to enter a provided code, simply sign in to your Microsoft account, insert the game disc, and if supported, the user will be granted a license to a digital version of the game. Once activated, the license will add the game to the user’s library.
“Simply playing any supported XBOX One or XBOX Series X game disc while signed in will grant you a digital license of that game. A confirmation will appear to let you know that you’ve received your digital license. If you do not see the confirmation, then the disc is not supported or you’ve already received the digital license.”
– Microsoft
With great power comes, ahem, where have we heard this before? Well, Microsoft adds that these licenses may not be permanent, and if a user sells, loses, or otherwise no longer has access to their physical copy, there may come a time when the license may be revoked, as periodic check-ins may be required.
“To maintain access to certain disc to digital licensing benefits, you may be required to demonstrate continued possession of the qualifying disc. For example, if you lose, sell, give away, or otherwise no longer possess a qualifying disc, access to associated disc to digital licenses may be limited or revoked.”
– Microsoft
The disc-to-digital program is not a one-size-fits-all solution either, as publishers must provide support for digital versions. Testing by one user (via VideoCardz) has shown that 52 out of 66 titles worked. It’s been identified that games from Ubisoft, Sega, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco tend to be those which are showing an error that they are not supported. Still, it’s a step in the right direction for users hoping to preserve their games, but they need to be mindful to keep those physical copies in a safe place for when the time comes to re-authenticate their respective licenses. Meanwhile, a community database, XCT.live, is maintaining its own list of compatible games, which can be viewed here.
Discussion
Join Discussion →No replies yet. Be the first to reply on the forum.