A new report published by EDGE Wednesday confirms months of rumors that used games will become a thing of the past on at least one of the next generation of consoles.
According to the publication's sources, the next Xbox -- codename Durango -- will require an Internet connection in order to function for even the most basic functions. It is believed games purchased on the 50GB blu-ray discs will ship with activation codes. Essentially, if this report is true, the new Xbox will be more akin to a computer, rather than a traditional gaming console.
In addition, the new system will feature a new iteration of Xbox LIVE and an improved Kinect sensor, which will ship alongside the system.
The recently rumored system specs, including the AMD eight-core 1.6GHz CPU, the 8 GB of DDR3 RAM and, more importantly, the GPU, are also correct, according to the report. Already the GPU specs are somewhat behind Sony's Orbis, but EDGE's report said the gap could be exacerbated even more by Microsoft's insistence on using specific development profiles, and the massive footprint of its operating system.
Next generation could be a repeat of this generation with Sony featuring the more powerful console. But it could be an even larger gulf, depending on the capabilities of the GPU in Sony's console. Sony also has a similar camera system being prepped to be unveiled alongside its new console at a press event Feb. 20. No unveiling date has yet been set for Microsoft's new console, but both should be receiving full media blowouts at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June.
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