Chase Kirby

Dear @asha_shar @XBOX On behalf of VGP, we would like to share our perspective as a retailer that has proudly supported the gaming industry and the Xbox brand for many years. When Microsoft originally introduced the vision for the Xbox One with a strong emphasis on digital ownership, the response from consumers was immediate. Sony took advantage of that moment by positioning the PlayStation 4 as the console that embraced physical game ownership, and history shows how influential that decision became. Today, the market is shifting once again. Sony appears to be moving further toward a digital-first future, creating an opportunity for Microsoft to differentiate itself by becoming the industry's strongest advocate for physical media. We encourage Microsoft to revisit Project Helix and make physical games a core part of its strategy. There remains a passionate and dedicated audience that values collecting, preserving, lending, trading, and truly owning the games they purchase. As a retailer, we see that demand every day. The saying "what goes around comes around" feels especially relevant. Years ago, Sony benefited by championing physical ownership while Microsoft moved toward digital. Today, Microsoft has an opportunity to reverse that narrative and become the company that stands behind consumer choice. Many gamers still look back on the Xbox 360 era as the golden age of Xbox. The platform was synonymous with innovation, great games, and strong relationships with both players and retail partners. We believe Microsoft can recapture much of that goodwill by reaffirming its commitment to physical gaming and by bringing Project Helix to market. As one of Microsoft's retail partners, we believe a renewed investment in physical media would benefit consumers, retailers, publishers, and Xbox itself. We respectfully encourage you and your leadership team to consider this opportunity and help usher Xbox back to the position of industry leadership that so many fans remember. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to seeing Xbox continue to innovate while supporting the millions of players who still value physical game ownership. Sincerely VGP