Leaked : Xbox 720 “Durango” will be “Always Connected”, Requires Hard Drive Install
A new leak of online documentation for the next generation Xbox console seems to confirm earlier rumours that the console will be always-on in terms of Internet connection, and will require the next gen version of Kinect to be plugged in at all times.
Codenamed Durango in documentation obtained by VGLeaks, pertaining to the console dev kit or XDK (Xbox Development Kit), there’s details revealing a required permament web connection.
Not only could this permament online connection enable a used games lock on the machine, but it would also keep games updated by automatically installing patches. “The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that console software and games are always current,” an image of the hardware overview from VGLeaks states.
“With this ‘Always On, Always Connected’ design, users will quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install updates.”
The new Xbox will include a hard drive as standard, though the exact capacity has yet to be decided, and a Blu-ray drive. You’ll be able to play games while they’re being installed, and no further disc-reading is necessary once the installation is done. (If this is true, we suspect you’ll have to keep the disc in the tray regardless, for copyright verification purposes.)
Finally, the Durango’s controller will be similar to that of the Xbox 360, but will offer “improved ergonomics” and lower latency wifi. Apparently, “system interactions that use the controller will be simplified to make them easier for noncore gamers”.
But then again, the documentation does start with this disclaimer: “This documentation is preliminary and subject to change.”
Maybe, hopefully, some things are still to be decided.
[The Verge, VGLeaks]
