The XboxOne Almost Had NO Disk Drive!

Microsoft has revealed there was discussion about removing the Xbox One's disc drive, making the console digital-only.

Speaking to OXM, Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer revealed that even as late as E3 2013 there was discussion about whether the company "could get away with" removing the disc drive, though ultimately the size of games meant it didn't make sense.

"Obviously, after the announcement and E3, there was some feedback about what people wanted to change," he explained. "There was a real discussion about whether we should have an optical disc drive in Xbox One or if we could get away with a purely disc-less console, but when you start looking at bandwidth and game size, it does create issues.

"So we decided - which I think was the right decision - to go with the Blu-ray drive and give the people an easy way to install a lot of content. From some of those original thoughts, you saw a lot of us really focusing on the digital ecosystem you see on other devices - thinking of and building around that."

One of the big issues many people have with digital-only games is one of ownership: having a physical disc confers a reassuring sense of possession for gamers that games you purchase digitally can often lack.

It's likely the final decision had something to do with the company's about-face on many issues last year, especially the revised decision to allow Xbox One owners to play the console without an internet connection.