Xbox is introducing a new feature that will allow players to claim digital entitlements for supported physical games, giving them more flexibility in how they access their Xbox libraries across the Xbox ecosystem.
Xbox Insiders will begin testing the feature on August 31. The initiative is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to preserve access to games as hardware, technology, and distribution methods continue to evolve.
According to Xbox, most Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc-based games will support the new feature. Players can claim a digital entitlement by inserting a supported game disc into an Xbox One or Xbox Series X console and launching the game.
Once the digital entitlement has been claimed, players can take advantage of supported digital features, including Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming where available. The physical disc will continue to function as it always has, meaning players will still be able to use it to play the game.
The feature will launch with thousands of supported titles, with Xbox planning to expand the list over time. Not every physical game will be supported when the feature begins testing, however.
Xbox says the goal is to make it easier for players to carry their game libraries forward as the Xbox ecosystem continues to evolve. The company also views the feature as part of its ongoing commitment to game preservation, giving players greater flexibility in accessing games they have purchased over the years.
For players with physical Xbox libraries spanning multiple generations, the new feature could provide another way to maintain access to their games without abandoning their existing discs.