Major Publishers Are Sitting Out Xbox's New Disc to Digital Program
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Xbox's new Disc to Digital program is facing early hurdles as major publishers like Ubisoft, Square Enix, and Sega opt out, leaving large portions of physical libraries unable to convert into digital licenses.
Microsoft recently launched its Disc to Digital testing phase for Xbox Insiders, giving players a way to turn eligible physical Xbox One and Series X discs into digital licenses. The feature aims to bridge the gap between physical collections and modern convenience, unlocking perks like cloud streaming and Play Anywhere support. Community testing has revealed a significant catch, however, as several major third party catalogs are currently missing from the lineup. Early testers on Reddit and other community spaces found that games from Ubisoft, Square Enix, Sega, and Bandai Namco are frequently returning error messages stating they are not participating in digital licensing.
Titles ranging from Ubisoft staples like Far Cry and Assassin's Creed to Square Enix adventures like Guardians of the Galaxy and recent releases like Black Ops 7 are failing to convert during tests. Neither the publishers nor Microsoft have offered a detailed explanation for these gaps, leaving players to wonder whether licensing hurdles or strategic publisher choices are driving the exclusion. While the vast majority of tested discs do convert successfully, the absence of major publisher back catalogs creates frustrating holes for players hoping to modernize their physical shelves.
This early phase of testing is meant to iron out these exact wrinkles, and Microsoft has already noted that support will expand as the rollout continues. Some previously unsupported titles have already begun working for users, showing that the catalog is still actively shifting. If the program wants to win over players who value digital flexibility without losing their physical heritage, securing broader publisher participation before the public launch will be essential.
Tags: Xbox, Game Pass, Cloud Gaming, Game Preservation, Industry News
Original article: Game Rant