After Sony announced its plans to phase out physical discs by 2028, all eyes turned to Microsoft to see if its next-gen console, the Xbox Series X, would follow suit. Microsoft’s response has been largely silent, but the rollout of Disc to Digital suggests a disc-less future is on the horizon.

The new feature lets players claim digital copies of their physical games, making them accessible anywhere, but it's not without complications. The process isn't always seamless, and not all games are supported. First-party titles like Halo and Gears of War are safe bets, but third-party games are a gamble. The language is confusing, and the lack of clarity on which games can be redeemed makes the whole process a bit of a lottery.

While the feature is a step forward, it’s not a golden ticket for all-encompassing backward compatibility. The games you can redeem aren’t necessarily accessible across your devices, and you still need to keep compatibility in mind. PC players using the Xbox app can install their Disc-to-Digital games if they’re part of Microsoft’s Play Anywhere catalog, but the process isn’t foolproof.

Ultimately, while Disc to Digital is a welcome addition, it’s far from perfect. The lack of a definitive list of supported games and the confusing language around why you might not be able to redeem a game means the whole process is a bit of a crapshoot. It’s a step forward for digital gaming, but there’s still a long way to go before it’s a seamless experience for everyone.