Microsoft Considers Cartridges Instead of Blu-ray Disc for Project Helix Consoles

Rumors of Microsoft’s possible abandonment of traditional Blu-ray optical drives arose amid the publication of new job postings for the gaming division responsible for physical release management, which completely omits any mention of laser discs. Analysts cite the main reason for the revision of the physical format as the global downsizing of specialized drive and disc factories, making continued production of traditional disc drives economically unviable. The company’s engineers are seriously considering switching to removable solid-state flash drives similar to those used in Nintendo Switch cartridges or a proprietary standard. Such a transformation would preserve retail physical…