In order to promote some hardware, things like gaming consoles or graphic cards often come in a bundle with a video game attached.
For example, PlayStation 4 bundled with Horizon Zero Dawn, or GeForce RTX 2060 with Battlefield V.
Or, in this case, Xbox One and Cyberpunk 2077, in the Xbox One X Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition Bundle.
Xbox One X Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition Bundle (Picture: Microsoft)
Usually, when you get this type of a bundle, where one part is physical, while other is a digital product, you will get a code to activate the digital part (game, service, etc).
That will no longer be the case when it comes to Xbox and Microsoft. Microsoft is introducing Digital Direct.
"With Digital Direct, no codes are required. All digital content including games, subscriptions, and exclusive content will be redeemed to your Microsoft account and directly delivered to your Xbox console during setup," says on the Xbox Digital Direct page.
You can choose to decide later if you don't want to redeem the game on the account you are currently logged in (Picture: Microsoft)
This now works simply by adding all included digital content to the first Microsoft Account that redeems it on the console that came with that content.
The reason behind this is probably to prevent widespread reselling, stealing and other similar exploits that are often seen with this kind of promotions.
While Microsoft is presenting this as a way to make things easier and more convenient for consumers, the actual consumers aren't exactly happy about this, at least not on the Xbox subreddit.
Many are seeing this as an anti-consumer move, which restricts their choice and limits their options what they can do with the digital goods they got in the bundle.
"Why lock it to a console like that? A user doesn't need an explanation of why they would want to give away or sell their games," says Reddit user Semifreak. "Sometimes you buy a console that includes a game you already have. Some awesome people here give it away for free to other gamers."
Others are supporting this new policy, pointing mostly at resellers and people who are abusing refund system.
"Smart way to cut down on resellers buying bundles to piecemeal for a profit. I wonder how many scalpers are going to be returning Cyberpunk bundles now," says one Reddit user.
Reddit user ammika13 shared his Cyberpunk 2077 Digital Direct info (Picture: ammika13)
Reddit user that goes by the name Dashzz added his personal experience on the topic: " When I worked in a retail store people would buy consoles, use the code for the game, then return the console. Every console return we would send back to the vendor."
As we can see there's no clear picture if this is right or wrong, and both sides have a valid point on why it should be(or not) like this.
Of course, the best solution will be the one that can both be good against abusers and also give consumers an option to choose what they want to do with their digital goods.
What are your thoughts on this?