In recent memory, rumors have surfaced that suggest the next Xbox, whether it be called the Xbox 720, Durango, or something else entirely, will be a console that is always connected to the internet. This unfortunate notion is commonly referred to as always-on DRM, usually requiring consumers to be online in order to access their software. A new leak is corroborating the always-on rumor, as well as suggesting that the Xbox 720 will require all games to be installed to the hard drive.

We’ve written about the always-on Xbox rumor before, and if you’ve been paying attention to the recent SimCity controversy, you’d know that always-on DRM is rarely met with any kind of positivity from a user standpoint. Always-on DRM is thought to be Microsoft’s answer to curbing used game sales; if the console is always connected, it can verify whether a game is used or not. Ever the vigilant leak mill, VGleaks showed off some Xbox 720 development kit screenshots, and the hardware overview section stated that the console will feature a hard drive with enough storage capacity to hold a large number of games. On top of that, the overview stated that the console will not run games from the optical drive, which would make the optical drive basically an install-slave for games, and nothing more. If the games cannot be run from the optical drive, this is more support for the theory that the Xbox 720 won’t run used games.

Being always-connected and having a mandatory HDD install point to a one-and-done kind of system. Games would be installed from the disc, then activated online. If this system ends up being confirmed, then that means optical discs would most likely just serve as a software backup for the person who installed and activated the game, just in case something happens to the data on the HDD.



Though VGleaks has a decent track record regarding its reports, the hardware overview documentation from the development kit is dated from 2012, which means Microsoft could (or will) have enough time to decide whether or not it wants to stick to its locked-down ideals. Though always-on DRM and curbing used sales may not be enough to crush the console giant, they could certainly do enough harm to send Microsoft reeling back to third place.

We’ve already gotten a good look at the PS4 — the actual PS4 casing aside — and measures as drastic as these rumored Xbox 720 ones were not mentioned. That doesn’t mean that the Xbox 720 will be the only console to employ such measures, it could just mean that Sony has been a more coy about them. However, for the majority of the PS3′s lifecycle, Sony allowed a purchased piece of downloadable content to be shared amongst multiple users who didn’t pay for it. Not too long ago, Sony significantly reduced the number of users that could partake in this software sharing, but still allowed it. Sure, you had to share PSN accounts that store sensitive information, but if you had trusted friends you could easily share legitimately purchased games. The emergence of always-on DRM — and now more rumors corroborating the Xbox 720′s attempt to curb used games sales — are making those days look far gone.

We wouldn’t worry about these Xbox 720 rumors just yet. Considering how powerful internet backlash has become in recent years (somewhat changing Mass Effect 3′s ending, SimCity getting an offline mode to name a few), we wouldn’t worry too much about these rumors until the console actually launches with them.

^Came From:http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/15...720-used-games



My opinion

1. I think this could lose alot of people no used games so if you want to go to game stop then you better have $60 or you wait for the game to lower its price

2. another issue what happen if your xbox gets stolen then your kinda screwed

but besides all the issues might be cool to see that its always online then again that might suck

honestly though im kinda on PlayStation Nation Love to hear your feedback though