Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Opens Up on Future of Physical Games for Next Generation Console Project Helix
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma was cagey when asked if the company’s next console, codenamed Project Helix, will have a disc drive or not, but gave some optimistic insights into its approach to physical games.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma provided some optimism about physical games for the company's next-generation console, Project Helix, during an interview with the BBC in August 2026. While she did not confirm or deny the presence of a disc drive, Sharma emphasized that Xbox is prioritizing cost-effectiveness and efficiency in its hardware design.
"This next generation, we have to be thinking about efficiency and affordability alongside performance," she stated. The industry must innovate on affordability and efficiency, Sharma added. She acknowledged the debate surrounding physical media and assured players that Xbox wants to provide choices in how they purchase and play their console.
Xbox is currently developing a disc-to-digital program, which was announced during Gamescom and will allow players to digitize their physical games into an online library. This move puts Xbox in a favorable light compared to Sony, whose decision to end physical disc production in early 2028 has been met with criticism. The upcoming Xbox Helix may be fully digital, but the company's commitment to giving players a choice in purchasing and playing their console remains clear.
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