“Project Saluki”: A new Xbox Game Pass tier has been unearthed, alongside a curious “Positron” potential disc-to-digital program — and it could be huge
Microsoft appears to be making a significant push into the Chinese gaming market, with two new Xbox initiatives discovered in recent Xbox Insider builds. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has previously hinted at major expansion plans for Microsoft’s gaming operations in China, and these latest code names may represent the first concrete steps toward realizing that goal.
The first initiative, codenamed “Project Saluki,” represents a new Xbox Game Pass tier—or potentially multiple tiers—specifically designed for the Chinese market. Details remain limited based on the current leak, but the project appears to include several distinct Game Pass tiers and accompanying rewards programs tailored to appeal to Chinese players and market conditions.
The second code name, “Positron,” suggests Microsoft may be developing a disc-to-digital conversion program that would allow players to convert physical game discs into digital versions. Such a feature could prove attractive in markets with established physical game retail or among players who already own collections on disc.
These discoveries hint at Microsoft’s broader strategy to localize Xbox Game Pass and related services to regional preferences and market dynamics, rather than deploying identical offerings globally. China represents a significant opportunity given the region’s massive gaming audience and the growth potential of subscription gaming services in markets where they are not yet as prevalent as in North America and Europe.