According to a report from Edge, the Xbox 720 will allegedly require an internet connection
to function.
A new Xbox Live will also play a huge role in the console's services, and improved Kinect
hardware will launch alongside the system.
Edge's sources also explain that the Xbox 720 will use Blu-ray discs for physical media.
Furthermore, the report claims that the recent Xbox spec rumors are largely accurate, including
Microsoft's use of an AMD eight-core x64 1.6 GHz CPU, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a robust hard
drive.
While the Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 apparently resemble PC architecture, other development
sources claim that Sony's upcoming next-gen equipment is a preferable platform to work
on, and its OS is less "oppressive" than Microsoft's next-gen solution.
These rumors come on the heels of Sony's tease of the future of PlayStation, which will be
revealed at an industry event in New York City on February 20th.
IGN suspects that the PlayStation 4 will be officially announced at that time, along with
the possibility that next-gen games will be unveiled.
The possibility that the next Xbox would require an internet connection will prove controversial
if true.
Broadband penetration is at 90% in the US as of last September, but still -- if your
internet goes down for whatever reason you won’t be able to play Xbox?
Here’s hoping the rumor isn’t true.
For more on the future of video games, stay tuned to IGN.