[Rumor] Nextbox games run off hard drive, optical discs not supported post install

[Guild McCommunist]

So Microsoft's next console - the Nextbox, the Durango, the Xbox 720, Al - whatever you call it, is still a bit of a mystery. Its been a bunch of rumors and speculation, even since Sony announced their next generation console, so what's one more rumor to add?

According to documentation from VGleaks, optical disc play won't be supported.

Now this doesn't mean all games will be digital. Optical discs will be used to install the game. After that, the discs are basically useless. It's apparently a one time deal, so you can't trade in the game or give it to a friend to play. This is presumably one of the many measures the Nextbox will use to block piracy and preowned games. The large amount of installed games though would be supported by an earlier leaked 500GB minimum hard drive.

There's also references to a "always online, always connected" console, throwing a bit more weight behind the earlier rumor of an always-online required internet connection.

However, it's worth noting that the documentation provided is over a year old. A lot of changes could have happened since then.

Source

 

[Bladexdsl]

Looks like I won't be getting a nextbox yet again this gen if that shit is true; not being able to trade sell your games back is a suicide decision!

 

[NightsOwl]

"A lot of changes could have happened since then."

I'd hope so, it sounds pretty shitty from what the source says.

 

[FireGrey]

This seems to fit the rumors that the NextBox will be running Windows 8.
I wonder if it's going to be a full on computer optimized for TV with support for steam

 

[Bladexdsl]

sounds like it they've given up on making consoles now they're gonna make computers

 

[Rockym]

So Microsoft's next console - the Nextbox, the Durango, the Xbox 720, Al - whatever you call it, is still a bit of a mystery. Its been a bunch of rumors and speculation, even since Sony announced their next generation console, so what's one more rumor to add?

According to documentation from VGleaks, optical disc play won't be supported.

Now this doesn't mean all games will be digital. Optical discs will be used to install the game. After that, the discs are basically useless. It's apparently a one time deal, so you can't trade in the game or give it to a friend to play. This is presumably one of the many measures the Nextbox will use to block piracy and preowned games. The large amount of installed games though would be supported by an earlier leaked 500GB minimum hard drive.

There's also references to a "always online, always connected" console, throwing a bit more weight behind the earlier rumor of an always-online required internet connection.

However, it's worth noting that the documentation provided is over a year old. A lot of changes could have happened since then.

Source

I don't think the discs will be useless. You'll probably still need to have it in the drive to play the game, like they do with 360 installs.

 

[Hells Malice]

Yeeah people aren't usually too fond of the 'always online' thing. That'll be a massive shot in the foot if they DO end up trying to do that.
No used games isn't as big a deal to me since most games I even get these days are new, but it's still annoying and noooot something that will WIN them any sales, which is brilliant in such a competitive market.

I wont be getting a Nextbox for a loooong time if 'always online' comes true, and I wont call 'no used games' a deal breaker yet...but it definitely has me leaning more towards PS4 this gen.

 

[BORTZ]

Piracy I can understand, but second hand games? That's sad.

 

[Veho]

So how would they render the disc useless? Obligatory online registration? And what discs will it use, Blu-Ray?

 

[p1ngpong]

Games running off a HDD is fine by me, I install most games that I play on the 360 by choice anyway.

An always online console is something I would never ever buy, I don't give a fuck what other features it has, just nope you have instantly lost a customer.

And as for blocking used games, obviously they can go throw their console in a fire with that one too.

This seems to fit the rumors that the NextBox will be running Windows 8.
I wonder if it's going to be a full on computer optimized for TV with support for steam

Did I miss something or did you just draw those two conclusions completely out of thin air?

 

[NightsOwl]

So how would they render the disc useless? Obligatory online registration? And what discs will it use, Blu-Ray?

They'll obviously use Quad-Layered HD DVDs.

This is a joke. Don't crucify me.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

I really have no issue with games on the hard drive, it's actually shitloads better than game discs which you have to constantly swap out. This lets you still be a prick and say "Oh I'm a 'game collector'" while having all the convenience of digital downloads.

Even as someone with a rather consistent internet connection (unless the microwave is in use), always online isn't an issue for me but I'd never buy something that has always-online required just for the sake of it. If it had a legitimate reason (such as game streaming) then I'd be a bit more lenient but it'd be quite shitty to lose my offline session of some random game because someone in my house is nuking popcorn.

I have all current gen home consoles and the Xbox 360 still gets some credit from me for having better multiplats often but seeing that the PS4 will not be so convoluted as the PS3, I don't think Microsoft will be winning my heart next gen. I'm already sold on Sony exclusives.

 

[BORTZ]

I mean, all that stuff is great. I have no problem running games off of my harddrive (just makes my fan run louder lol) but I buy a good many of my games used, I have to pay for college loans too lol

 

[Foxi4]

That's pretty cool and is sure to shrink load times.

 

[pokefloote]

So it's basically like steamworks games. You can buy a disc at the store but it's basically pointless because you need to activate on steam anyway using a key.

 

[Bladexdsl]

So it's basically like steamworks games. You can buy a disc at the store but it's basically pointless because you need to activate on steam anyway using a key.

pretty much

 

[Gahars]

And now for my favorite forum game - Console Spec Ops: The Whine.

 

[Rockym]

Always online and playing from the hard disc doesn't really bother me as much as requiring Kinect to operate the thing. Bad enough they are forcing it on everyone but why do they need to have Kinect on all the time while you are playing?

 

[Weston Knight]

I would love to see none of these rumors come true just so someone can stumble upon topics like this after it gets released and laugh at all the stupid things that are said.

 

[retKHAAAN]

snip
Source

Wow, Guild...
The image below is where they are getting all of this "info" from.

For one, nowhere does it say that gameplay requires a constant internet connection. It says that the system will utilize multiple power states so that it can always be on, and that it will always maintain an internet connection (meaning that it will simply remain connected to the internet while in standby, just like your PC, and update your games on its own).

Second, nowhere does it say that discs will be limited to a single console... It says that gameplay will not be supported from disc (just like your PC). You'll purchase a game, install it, and play (while it's installing).

It also says nothing about pre-owned games being blocked in any way...

Nowhere in vgleaks' post did they perpetuate any of the doomsday rumors that are present in this thread.

Were you in a rush to get a hot, new story posted?