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View Full Version : EXCLUSIVE: No disc drive for Next Xbox (xbox720)



Paul
03-09-2012, 03:07 PM
MCV has learnt that Microsoft has been telling partners that the Next Xbox will NOT include a disc drive.

The briefings have been issued under what MCV’s source describes as “the strictest NDA” they have ever encountered.

Although the console will not include a disc drive, it will offer compatibility with some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage, although it is not known whether this will be proprietary or a more standard format such as SD.

Furthermore, a 2013 launch date for the hardware has been confirmed. What is less clear, however, is the intended timing of Microsoft’s announcement.

As revealed by MCV earlier this year, an E3 2012 reveal could still very much be on the cards.

The omission of a disc drive signifies the beginning of a new era for games consoles and represents a potentially savage blow to the already beleaguered video games retail sector.

Of course, retailers will tell you that they are already involved in the digital market. Indeed, GAME is enjoying growing revenue from the sale of digital download cards for digital-only titles and DLC.

Nonetheless, the abolition of physical games is bad news for retail however it is spun. With the Next Xbox positioned as a digital centric platform, the relevance of retail will once once again eroded.

When contacted by MCV Microsoft said that it does not comment on rumour and speculation.

UPDATE: Microsoft has issued a fuller statement to MCV.

“Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend its lifecycle like introducing the world to controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention. Beyond that we do not comment on rumors or speculation.”

Original Boss
03-09-2012, 03:34 PM
But wouldnt that make it easier for piracy ?

8Ball
03-09-2012, 04:14 PM
yes and no, it's essentially a different playing field, a much smaller one if you consider right now the 360 has physical and digital titles, once the inevitable happens victory is complete and the rest of the lifespan is dedicated to defensive measures on both sides until the pirates seize the foundations like pandora for the psp which is one of the greatest achievements the scene ever had. Sony didn't help things much and were continually under the impression there was still a war to win after pandora, they never learn.
The ps3 just might be written off as a draw though, while newer titles can be played the scene is a fucking mess.

Going digital will mean batshit insanity paranoia about every little security feature, of course its nothing more than playing the waiting game in the long run, theres always a flaw and some creative thinking to turn a dent into a fullblown hole. It also means more mistreatment for the end users as well, drm will strangle any rights people think they have, it's going to be quite a fun show.

Also without a meaty drive to take up room they might actually not fuck up the cooling solution this time. Hell letting the user know about their temps would be nice.

CloudStrife7x
03-09-2012, 04:26 PM
hmm sounds interesting but not sure i like the idea of everything going digital, but i guess we wait and see what happens

cybersam
03-09-2012, 04:36 PM
i don't like the idea either... and it won't working atm anyway... as not everyone has a hast broadband connection... for sort of games you would need a very fast broadband on every household you wanna reach... or its pointless... as you would restrict your own market...
in any case...
i don't think everything will exclusively available digital only... but they might return to cartridges ^_^''''
on with newer technology... ^_^

or they will just use an external drive... which would be quite stupid ^_^'''

Rip4
03-12-2012, 08:08 AM
It wont happen. Short reason. People cant afford $150 internet that downloads full games fast. My last internet was a 3mb download. It would take a week to download a new game.

XajNyne
03-12-2012, 08:11 AM
It wont happen. Short reason. People cant afford $150 internet that downloads full games fast. My last internet was a 3mb download. It would take a week to download a new game.

How big is a full game?

Nightmare666
03-12-2012, 08:53 AM
How big is a full game?
XGD2 5-7gb (generally)
XGD3 6-8gb (generally)

XajNyne
03-12-2012, 09:15 AM
It wont happen. Short reason. People cant afford $150 internet that downloads full games fast. My last internet was a 3mb download. It would take a week to download a new game.

Are you serious though? A week lol!


XGD2 5-7gb (generally)
XGD3 6-8gb (generally)

Thanks. On my current internet either of those would take anywhere from 8 hours to 24 hours max.........but then again who knows what sizes they may be in the future.

Idlehands88
03-12-2012, 09:39 AM
So what are Canadians going to do? We have download limits here, 60GB a month and $2 extra for every GB we go over... So in short Canadians have to pay extra for internet because microsoft wants to make us download games...

I mean if I'm already at my 60GB limit then that's going to be an extra $14 onto the price of an 8GB game. What hapens when a game like RAGE comes out, that game was 20GB (20x2=40) 40 extra dollars onto the price of the game...

Noctis Caelum
03-12-2012, 09:44 AM
this sound dumbass hell...another way to screw up a great creation

XajNyne
03-12-2012, 09:47 AM
this sound dumbass hell...another way to screw up a great creation


I have to agree with you on that lol!

Judd
03-12-2012, 10:36 AM
Are you serious though? A week lol!



Thanks. On my current internet either of those would take anywhere from 8 hours to 24 hours max.........but then again who knows what sizes they may be in the future.Yeah thats now but if the new Xbox supports Blu-Ray (obviously won't if its digital) sizes will vary from 4GB to 20+GB which would take lots of people total bandwidth in a game or two.

I call bullshit on this, like I said above it said before it will support Blu-Ray. Now if its digital then it won't be supporting Blu-Ray, 1080p yes but not Blu-Ray disc. Also as said above what if people don't have the internet? They would lose millions in sales from offline users and probably wouldn't even make their money back.

As for being hackable I think it would be hacked and running like a JTAG within a month or two and they would be losing once again even more of their money.

Vincent Valentine
03-12-2012, 10:42 AM
Agreed above... I haven't read the OP but I'm guessing that it's about the "Xbox 720" features with downloadable games or a blue ray player in it

Judd
03-12-2012, 10:48 AM
Also forgot to mention in my last post.

If they did do this it would have to be unmetered which would cost Xbox even MORE money. The way I see it if this idea happens they will lose out big time unless there is ways around everything I have said.

lickerout
03-12-2012, 11:01 AM
if it is purely digital download as you say i will not be getting one pure and simple it would have your bank details on their server and they can get hacked easily.
digital downloads will be signed like digital downloads are now which reduce the chance of pirating games but it would also require a huge hard drive (heavy gamers like me would need at least 1TB or more) the dlc the game itself the game saves and updates all adds up and they will all be locked to that one console account more than likely unless they make the games realy cheap and dlc also cheap at the end of the day it won't be worth it.

urmet77
03-13-2012, 09:38 AM
i guess it means it s quiet at last only sound of vent maybe they can do it with heatsink but i think its only in dreams :)

mcglock47
03-15-2012, 02:30 AM
No disc drive would be awesome my xbox 360 just broke too and i just reliezed how old disc drive are...think about it cartridges to cds time to step it up

X360Quicky
03-15-2012, 11:49 AM
I personally don't believe this. "Although the console will not include a disc drive, it will offer compatibility with some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage, although it is not known whether this will be proprietary or a more standard format such as SD" really? I highly doubt it lol. Just more stupid rumours in my opinion.

bobsandbag
03-15-2012, 12:35 PM
I can see the next console have a DVD tray for physical discs AND some sort of non-physical media input as another option - this would probably be the best way to "test the waters".