Xbox Ditching Codes For “Digital Direct”

Part of our jobs here at Phenixx Gaming is to review games. Games that (mostly) come in the form of codes that are provided by developers and/or publishers for the purposes of doing a review. I think most people know that process fairly well without it having to be explained. If you buy a shiny new Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch, you’ll also get a code written on a piece of card for anything digital that comes with your purchase. I know when I got my Xbox One it came with a trial of Game Pass, Xbox Gold, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third in the Tomb Raider (2013) franchise that I dislike. Two of these three things haven’t been touched in the year and a half since.

That’s a lie, I did put the code for the game in, and I have downloaded it. Nonetheless, I haven’t touched the game itself. However, the people over at Microsoft and Xbox have begun a process of shifting away from these codes and pieces of card, opting for a far more direct (“teehee” as the pun lover would say) route of getting new buyers for their extra gubbins. Introducing “Digital Direct,” a new system that collects all digital content for your Microsoft account on a new Xbox set up, and delivers it directly. I don’t get it!

To put it simply, when you are buying a new Xbox and starting a new Microsoft account with it (to my understanding), all the games, Xbox Gold, and Game Pass codes are no longer codes at all. Instead, the entire bundle will be held in the software that is held within the hardware of the Xbox One and undoubtedly the Xbox Series X. This could be an effort to cut down on the use of cardboard, and incentivize recycling. So far, it looks to be aiming to do two things, the first, is that it cuts down on the security risk of someone opening those boxes, taking the codes, and sealing them again. The second being the possible idea of getting rid of codes altogether down the line, somehow.

My question is, why do it? If you think it is a hassle to put in a code on a console, buy physical games. If you’re buying digital games and DLC, you’re already jumping the code input process. If it is using the Xbox control to navigate the on-screen keyboard, you can open the Microsoft Store app or website, login, and input the code on your PC. I just did that last one while I was writing this, that’s not hard. Then again I only had to copy and paste the codes. So again, where is the hassle, the issues with inputting, and why are we bothered about it? I understand the security reasoning, but if you’re already stealing something you’ll just as easily steal the Xbox.

Will this make it quicker to set up? Yes, and if you’re already past the setup phase on your recent Xbox purchase, there should be a new option within “account” in your settings labeled “Included with this Xbox.” Within that menu you will be able to redeem what is available. Conversely, you could also open your games library and go down to the recently added “Full library” section that segregates the games you have installed and all the ones you own. In the available offers section, which often features Game Pass and Gold, it will now also offer “Included with this Xbox” if available.

Does this new Digital Direct effect you in the immediate future? Not unless you have bought a new Xbox One or will be buying a Series X later this year, it is nothing. What I don’t want to see is it phasing out codes in an effort to innovate for the sake of it. The recent UI/UX re-design did that, and it is as crappy now as phasing out a key everyday feature without anything set as a useful replacement in the future.