Microsoft may be preparing Xbox Game Pass tiers for China and a Disc2Digital system

Microsoft may be working on two new Xbox related services behind the scenes, according to references found in recent Xbox PC app builds. One appears to be a China focused Xbox Game Pass expansion under the codename Project Saluki, while the other is called Positron and seems to be connected to a possible Disc2Digital feature for Xbox games.

Neither service has been officially announced, so both should be treated as early discoveries rather than confirmed products. Still, the references are interesting because they point to two areas Microsoft may be trying to solve: bringing Game Pass into China in a more structured way and helping physical Xbox owners carry their disc libraries into a more digital future.

Project Saluki could bring a smaller, region specific Game Pass catalog to China

Project Saluki is reportedly tied to a Game Pass expansion for China. That would not be a simple copy of the standard Game Pass model available in many other regions. China has strict local approval rules for games, and those rules limit what can be sold or distributed in the country.

Because of that, a China specific Game Pass tier would likely need a smaller approved catalog, local pricing, and a structure built around regional content rules. Microsoft already sells Xbox consoles in China, but Game Pass has not had the same standard rollout there as it has in other markets.

The second codename, Positron, may be even more important for long time Xbox players. It is reportedly linked to “Disc2Digital,” which suggests Microsoft could be exploring a way to connect physical Xbox discs with digital licenses. In simple terms, this could let players prove they own a disc based game and receive some form of digital access.

That idea would make sense if Microsoft’s next Xbox hardware moves further toward digital. The company has already said its next generation Xbox will support both Xbox console games and PC games, and it will use a custom AMD chip built for future DirectX and FSR features. Alpha hardware is expected to reach developers in 2027.

If Xbox is planning a future system where physical discs are less central, a Disc2Digital feature could help reduce backlash from players who have large disc libraries. It could give them a way to keep access to older purchases without buying everything again.

The difficult part is ownership and verification. Microsoft would need a system that prevents one disc from creating multiple digital copies. That could involve disc checks, account binding, physical trade in, serial validation, or another kind of license control. Without a strong verification system, the feature could be abused. With a strict system, some players may worry that physical ownership is being weakened.

This idea also connects to the recent debate around Xbox’s rumored disc to digital plans. Some players see it as a useful bridge into the next generation. Others worry it could mark another step away from physical games. Both sides have a point. A good version of the system would preserve access and give players more choice. A bad version could make discs feel less valuable.

For now, Project Saluki and Positron are only signs inside app code. Microsoft has not confirmed either feature, and app references can change before release. But the direction is clear. Xbox is still experimenting with regional Game Pass models, future hardware plans, and ways to connect older console libraries with a more digital ecosystem.