Why doesn't MS make the Xbox One digital only?

[Mr Puggsly]

Rafux said:

They should cut the bullshit and make the X1 with no blu ray disc drive, 1TB of hard drive, digital only and lower the price of the games to 40$-50$. Maybe even let online play be free and current Gold Members will be Gold Plus members with extra stuff and free games each month like PSN+ but I think this is asking too much.

I'm sure a lot of people would be less pissed if they go full digital this way but with more benefits to users, you have to give something to get something, full digital is sort of what they want to do anyway since you need an internet conection to use it.  Yes this is basically Steam for consoles but there's nothing wrong with being the Steam for consoles.

They can release a separate SKU with Blu Ray drive or an add-on blu ray drive (they have done something similar before) for the users that want an all in one media center and want to watch movies.

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EDIT: Additional posible solutions to some problems

Slow internet to download full games

Pre-download and play while downloading the game working together could be a solution. Publishers can let you start downloading the game 1 or 2 weeks before release date and it can only be played on that date, the game would be downloaded by parts, if you download the first part you can start playing while the next parts are downloading (exactly like the PS4 will do). I believe the X1 can do downloads while in sleep mode so you don't have to waste electricity.

Retailers would hate it.

Retailers could still make money selling the console and accesories and selling game codes for the people that have the money but doesn't have a credit card or doesn't want to put his credit card data online.

Having a presence at retailers is good marketing and encourages retailers to push your product.

 

Bluray technology is cheap now. It doesn't make sense to have another sku for a discless console. Nor would retailers want to push hardware that discourages buying games from a retailer.

 

Downloads could take days on slow internet connections and some providers have bandwidth caps.

Installing games in advance only makes sense when you pre-purchase a game. You are ignoring scenarios of people buying old discounted or used games. The disc just makes things easier for a lot of people.