Pachter on Disc-less x1 - One of the dumbest ideas ever

[binary solo]

shikamaru317 said:

I feel like some of you are failing to grasp the concept here. The disc-less Xbox One would be offered alongside the current bluray drive model, likely at the same price or very close to it, there's no evidence to suggest that Microsoft wouldn't drop the price of the current model alongside the new disc-less model. The disc-less model would be an option for those who already plan to go all digital this gen, as well as for those who want a smaller Xbox One. You'd basically be trading off your bluray drive for a bigger hard drive capable of holding more digital games at the same price.

Microsoft would likely not be alienating retailers by offering a disc-less model, chances are they'd set up digital store fronts with retailers (like Sony has already done with Amazon), allowing gamers to walk into their local brick and mortar retail store (or visit the retailer's website) and buy a digital game, receiving a code which can then be entered on the Xbox One to download the game. Digital games would likely see the same price drops as the physical versions, they might even be priced cheaper (Microsot recently mentioned that they are considering adjusting their digital pricing model soon). Used game sales might even still be possible, pre-DRM reversal, Microsoft had plans for a used digital trading marketplace, they've already said that they may bring it back in the future. That planned marketplace was to be set up through retailers, allowing retailers to still get their cut of used games sales, but a percentage of used game sales would now go to the developer/publisher, unlike in the current disc-based used game market.

PSPGo was also offered alongside regular PSP. It didn't harm PSP sales over all, but it also failed to lift sales. But because it really failed as a sku it tarnished the PSP brand. Discless Xb one would also not lift sales, and would run the risk of tarnishing the brand if it fails as bad as PSPGo.