New patent suggests Microsoft is developing an external disc drive for the Xbox Series S

2 min. read

Published onMay 13, 2022

published onMay 13, 2022

Share this article

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

A few days ago it was reported that a new Microsoft patent demonstrateda method for validating and converting Xbox game discs to digital downloads. A deeper look at the patent description suggests that the process may involve a “secondary device” which in all likelihood would come in the form ofan external disc drive that could be connected to the Xbox Series S.

According thepatent summary, the process of validating physical game discs would involve two devices, the first of which would be the game console. The second device, for example, “may comprise an optical disc comprising the electronic content…If the second device is able to validate the user’s ownership of the electronic content, the first device is provided access to the electronic content.”

The second device being described is clearly an optical disc drive, and judging from the patent description it would be able to connect to Xbox servers independently. At present the Xbox Series S has no external disc drive solution. Such a device would certainly be a boon for those eyeing the more affordable (albeit digital-only) next generation Xbox who are concerned over backward-compatibility with their previous generation games.

Of course, many patents never see the light of day on the consumer retail market, though many have been speculating since before the platform’s launch that Microsoft would eventually implement such a feature for its all-digital console.

Robert Collins

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Robert Collins

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

New patent suggests Microsoft is developing an external disc drive for the Xbox Series S#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

New patent suggests Microsoft is developing an external disc drive for the Xbox Series S