Microsoft to launch cheaper, disc-less Xbox One in 2019: Report

18/11/2018

New Delhi: Microsoft is reportedly working on a disc-less version of its Xbox One home console and will be made available as early as spring 2019. According to a report from blogger Paul Thurrott, the disc-less console will be part of the Xbox One and it may cost $200 (or approx Rs 14,357), about $100 (or approx Rs 7,178) less than that of the current-generation model.
According to Thurrott, the idea behind the disc-less console, is to reduce the entry-level cost to get into the Xbox ecosystem. With the Xbox One nears the end of the lifecycle, it makes sense to sell the console at a cheaper price point to target those games who still haven’t got the machine. Microsoft is also planning to launch a revised version of the Xbox One S console, which would include a disk drive.
A Thurrott report further suggests the disc-less console will ship alongside a “disc-to-digital” program that will allow users to bring their existing physical games to participating retailers to trade in for a digital download. Thurrott, however, clarifies that the disc-less console not will be part of the long-rumoured ” Scarlet” family on next-generation Xbox consoles, which includes a regular console and a streaming-only machine.
Interestingly, its sources claim Microsoft still hasn’t taken a decision whether the “Scarlet” family of consoles will include a disc drive or not. The streaming-only version of the next-gen console will likely take advantage of the company’s “All Access Subscription” service. Microsoft is rumoured to launch the next-generation family of Xbox consoles sometime in 2019.
The news of a disc-less Xbox One console comes shortly after Sony announced that it will not be taking part in E3 2019, the world’s biggest gaming trade show held annually in Los Angeles. For the first time in E3’s 24 years history, Sony will not be holding a pre-show press conference. Sony’s absence from E3 2019 has given rise to speculation about the possible announcement related to PlayStation 5 next year. It’s being said that Sony might hold a standalone event to launch the PS5, the successor to the PlayStation 4. The availability of the PS5 is expected to happen in 2020.

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