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
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