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[MrRibeye]

Microsoft is removing the cellophane wrapper (cellowrap) from Xbox game disc packaging and also replacing the plastic BTS (Break the Seal) label with a translucent paper version of the label. Will start appearing from August/September 2025 as some disc manufacturers already switched and then by Dec 31, 2025 all have to. Just a little PSA to not be surprised when you order physical copies in the future.

It's been announced since 2020, but they sent an email out today.

 

[Clintizzle]

Ok thanks.

 

[Artistic]

We the Best.

 

[Gambit2483]

Early concept image:

Physical on Xbox is on death's doorstep at this point

 

[adamsapple]

I have no idea what this means, gamefly already sends games in the flimsiest paper packaging and that's where I see most physical games these days.

 

[deriks]

Last physical Xbox game I saw was the REmake 4, and bought it, and still is sealed

How different looks now?

 

[Codes 208]

we're changing the packing!*

*for the rarest occasion that we even package them

 

[ReBurn]

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to get one of those cellophane rewrapping doohickeys and go into business sealing up games for people.

 

[Nydius]

Some GameStop manager somewhere: "Jokes on them, we've been doing that shit for years!"

Late edit: I know I'm a broken record on it but at this point I wish all physical games would adopt the Digipak model CDs adopted long ago. Minimize plastic. No need for these big ass blu-Ray sized cases.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Why don't they cut the shit already and dump their stock in the trash?

 

[Pimpbaa]

Some GameStop manager somewhere: "Jokes on them, we've been doing that shit for years!"

Nothing like buying a "new" game when they use the box you just took off the shelve (that has been mauled by countless grubby hands kids) and then taking a game out of a paper sleeve (which has probably already been played by the staff) and sticking it in the box and selling to you as new.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Nothing like buying a "new" game when they use the box you just took off the shelve (that has been mauled by countless grubby hands kids) and then taking a game out of a paper sleeve (which has probably already been played by the staff) and sticking it in the box and selling to you as new.

Y'know, it's been so long since I bought anything from Gamestop that I'd just about forgotten about that policy. Repressed memories, I guess.

 

[baphomet]

Im sure those 10's of people buying physical Xbox games will be fine with it.

 

[Antwix]

Looking forward to seeing this in person when I buy GTA 6.

 

[Damigos]

Are there actually physical Xbox discs ?

 

[liamsimou]

 

[Goalus]

Are there actually physical Xbox discs ?

Yes, in the ever-growing physical games market of the UK.

 

[Kotaro]

3.7 trillion dollar company nickel-diming their customers

 

[Cakeboxer]

Microsoft is turning the sofa cushions over twice.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

They ruined it with Xbox One when they ditched Amaray for those flimsy cases with the disc on the left.

 

[xrnzaaas]

Seems like with no wrap it's going to be harder to establish whether the game is new or used. And a paper seal should be easier to replicate than a plastic one.

 

[consoul]

The discs are empty, so there's nothing worth cello-wrapping.

 

[Team Andromeda]

Who gives a shit, and we have a planet to save people.... Thanks to all to the green nutjobs, this will only get worse going forward.
Hell, my NHS trust no longer gives us paper documents, which can be a royal pain in the ass when trying to prove your identity

All while China and India piss themselves, at least the USA got Trump, rather than the Green nutjobs we have here in Europe

 

[Baemono]

Soon we'll be back at this, with a download code in it

 

[Bodom78]

Good too see MS/XBox continuing their focus on pushing the gaming industry forward.

They should work on replacing the plastics on their controllers with styrofoam next.

 

[Klayzer]

Xbox profits...

 

[DenchDeckard]

Do they even make physical games anymore for Xbox?

 

[Three]

3.7 trillion dollar company nickel-diming their customers

Microsoft is turning the sofa cushions over twice.

I know some people are joking but this isn't cost cutting or nickel and diming. It's just an eco-friendly initiative. Like paper straws some people are not going to like it.

Reminds me of that time people on GAF complained that the PS5 box isn't premium enough and that it came in an "egg carton". That was an eco drive too. They probably had to pay more for shipping bigger boxes.

 

[justiceiro]

Pirates games sold at the road corner have more quality than this at this point.

 

[Cakeboxer]

I know some people are joking but this isn't cost cutting or nickel and diming. It's just an eco-friendly initiative. Like paper straws some people are not going to like it.

Reminds me of that time people on GAF complained that the PS5 box isn't premium enough and that it came in an "egg carton". That was an eco drive too. They probably had to pay more for shipping bigger boxes.

You're right, they do aim to be waste-neutral by 2030. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some tax incentives involved as well.

 

[laynelane]

Nothing like buying a "new" game when they use the box you just took off the shelve (that has been mauled by countless grubby hands kids) and then taking a game out of a paper sleeve (which has probably already been played by the staff) and sticking it in the box and selling to you as new.

I stopped buying games from them due to that - and the constant push to pay more for a 'warranty' to make sure the item you just bought actually works. Last time I was there, they said they no longer unpack the discs from cases prior to selling them but it's too little, too late for many people.

 

[DAHGAMING]

Were gunna see Xbox games being sold like pirate DVDs 10-15 yrs ago, mandem coming in ya local while your trying to watch the footie selling some disk with no graphic onit in a paper bag.

 

[Cakeboxer]

Nothing like buying a "new" game when they use the box you just took off the shelve (that has been mauled by countless grubby hands kids) and then taking a game out of a paper sleeve (which has probably already been played by the staff) and sticking it in the box and selling to you as new.

Even better is a thick sticker on the case that can't be removed without leaving traces. That way, collectors can basically forget about it, and many buyback sites won't accept games with such stickers.

 

[crackajack]

The DVD format for casings is pretty pointless since forever. Some music CDs were sold in carton packaging for years. I think some or all Sigur Ros, Rammstein and NIN CDs I bought were in carton, same as some Best ofs, classic collections or cheap rereleases. Some with plastic inlays, some really basic, were the disc slides in.
Makes totally sense for CDs since many use them just to convert it into mp3 or flac format and never touch them again, so durability is not that important. With game discs being glorified key carriers, nice packaging makes less and less sense. If you are not throwing your disc in every corner of your room, they should never get scratches anyway. The main downside is possibly to lose a readable label on the sides, so you have to have a system and just know where you put something - or search everytime.
Current casings are certainly a waste of ressources.

 

[Ar¢tos]

The engagement has grown so much and it is so HUGE right now that Xbox was forced to change disc packaging to get discs to retailers faster in order to satisfy the demand.

Thank you for caring so much MS!

 

[BlackTron]

When I first read this I thought they were getting rid of plastic game cases but it isn't that bad. The plastic seal is replaced with paper (which still indicates whether the game has been opened) and they did away with the cello. It's like other initiatives to reduce plastic like LEGO using paper bags to pack the plastic bricks (ironically). Every little bit counts, I guess.

I doubt it really saves much if any money, this is about the earth or something

 

[Audiophile]

Soon enough, they'll be in cardboard sleeves like the CDs bands sell on their site.