Next Xbox could come without a disc drive

Rumour strong with this oneConsoles News By Patrick Goss Friday at 10:33 UTC | Tell us what you think [ 6 comments ]

Tweet Next Xbox - ex-disc drive?

The next Xbox from Microsoft could come without a disc drive, according to trade magazine MCV.

Citing a source breaking a 'strict NDA', MCV suggests that it has been told the Xbox 720 will offer up "interchangeable solid-state storage" which would mean either something like SD cards or a proprietary system.

MIcrosoft has issued a statement to MCV stating: "Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend its lifecycle like introducing the world to controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships.

"We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention. Beyond that we do not comment on rumors or speculation."

New Xbox

Obviously no flat denial or confirmation was ever likely for a device that has not even been announced as yet, but the prospect of a disc-less Xbox 720 certainly seems likely.

Given the increased focus on connectivity in the Xbox 360, and Microsoft's steady move into software and services, it is clear that it feels physical media is not the future.

While physical game retailers struggling against the tide the digital business is booming in video games, and even though a complete move away is probably premature, it's clear that console manufacturers are looking to our broadband connection rather than shelf full of plastic boxes.

Via MCV

Tags: Xbox 720, Xbox, Next Xbox, MicrosoftTweetreddit!StumbleuponComment on this article  Your comments (6) Click to add a new commenthiruuamon

Saturday at 04:31 UTC

6. Makes perfect sense and I’ve been saying this since the 360 launched…flash memory would be cheap enough, at the launch of the next Xbox to make it a viable option for serving as the primary transport medium of retail titles. Having a solid state HDD and shipping games on 8-32 GB SD makes FAR greater sense from some many angles. From a power management standpoint, from a design for manufacture standpoint, from a retail standpoint (more titles take up less space on the limited shelf space at stores), and from a DRM standpoint. Microsoft usage of the card would drive the prices WAY down, plus, these would be one-time use card, making it cheaper as well. Also, using these card make sense, since this makes the usage of 500GB HDD okay, since there would be now need to install games on the HDD for better performance.

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reaction80

Friday at 20:50 UTC

5. NES cartridges are clearly the way forward!

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anphong

Friday at 20:14 UTC

4. You have a good idea Battousai.

May as well delete the DVD/Blu-Ray disc, and use wired and wireless networking for software.

But then, shouldn't we ditch the Xbox 720 and Playstation PS4, and just use our regular PC's for games?

Everything seems to be converging is it not???

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munichlondon

Friday at 17:14 UTC

3. Really looking forward to the new XBox. It would be my first.

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techdroid

Friday at 12:07 UTC

2. Hooray! More proprietary ****

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battousai

Friday at 11:41 UTC

1. Makes sense as they are never going to use blu-ray disks and they've already hit the limit of what a DVD can store, and I don't think they are going to try and develop a new optical format...

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