21 replies to this topic

[Meelow100]

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/exclusive-no-disc-drive-for-next-xbox/092534

MCV has learnt that Microsoft has been telling partners that the Next Xbox will NOT include a disc drive.

The briefings have been issued under what MCV’s source describes as “the strictest NDA” they have ever encountered.

Although the console will not include a disc drive, it will offer compatibility with some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage, although it is not known whether this will be proprietary or a more standard format such as SD.

Furthermore, a 2013 launch date for the hardware has been confirmed. What is less clear, however, is the intended timing of Microsoft’s announcement.

As revealed by MCV earlier this year, an E3 2012 reveal could still very much be on the cards.

The omission of a disc drive signifies the beginning of a new era for games consoles and represents a potentially savage blow to the already beleaguered video games retail sector.

Of course, retailers will tell you that they are already involved in the digital market. Indeed, GAME is enjoying growing revenue from the sale of digital download cards for digital-only titles and DLC.

Nonetheless, the abolition of physical games is bad news for retail however it is spun. With the Next Xbox positioned as a digital centric platform, the relevance of retail will once once again eroded.

When contacted by MCV Microsoft said that it does not comment on rumour and speculation.

I'd be shocked if Microsoft did this, what do you think?.

[Deadly Virus]

Seems likely that the Xbox 720 will go digital download only. Not only would it cut costs for Microsoft and developers, it'd also allow them to easily get away with the whole "no used games" fiasco. I guess I wouldn't be too happy about this, but then I doubt I'm getting the next Xbox anyway.

[Zebra]

I'm glad Nintendo doesn't do stuff like this...

[Hank Hill]

This would be a horrible idea. Anybody remember the PSP Go? That's what I thought.

[Nollog]

Not having an optical disc drive is not the same as digital distribution only.
Silly MVC spelling gloom and doom for an already doomed industry.

[Gruff]

I'm am glad we know there is a disc drive on the Wii U. Small games are fine to download, but the real thing, I prefer to have physical copies of them. And while it may save money on MS, we wouldn't. They would still charge a decent amount of money for the games, plus we would have to buy the storage they put the games on. (Unless they let you use your own hard drive, it would be very expensive.)

[Caius Casshern Sins]

From what I get out of this the system could actually be using a cartidge like meduim for hard copies of games, that is if it the rumor is true and I am correct about it. This could be good or bad thing as there are benefits for using cartidge storage for games such as faster loading times, but this could put them in the situation similar to the Nintendo 64 where the cartidges were expensive for developers to make use of the full power of the system, depending on how Microsoft does it.

So right now I will wait and see if this is true, false, or just part of the big picture.

[Terrabyte20xx]

I heard that they were going to use Solid State Flash Media, or something like that. With flash, it's smaller, meaning smaller packaging, lower costs for consumers = better sales. It would be good for all of us.

[SleepyGuyy]

If they DO use an "interchangable solid state" format... then retailers could technically sell those, as they do for the PSVita and i suppose the R4 cards the 3DS uses are just another type of memory card, still the same. And when you look at it more... so is a disk. So they might not destroy retailers, but then again with this format it is expected that all games will be downloadable too (like the PSv). Hmmm, well i kinda expected this from Microsoft, they see something and think "aah, the future of gaming!" (e.g.: Online network for home consoles) so they'd do anything blind. Sure the online was a great idea, but this one destroys physical copies & therefore gaming friendships, i cannot come to a party with an awesome neXbox game that i'd like to play with friends, because the memory format is tied to my console. Im sure after this the Xboxs will be installed into your house so you can't bring them to other people's houses, and then you'll have to scan your eye and prove you're the owner to be able to play games. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING. But anyway, i can see Microsoft doing this... then Sony copying them, then Nintendo being yelled at for not copying them. Oh well, hopefully Nintendo and Sony don't try this format with home consoles. AS Sony already does it with their mobile device. .... i like my 3ds just a little bit more now.

[Gnomishek]

What an epic comeback !

[mootap]

What will happen to preorder bundles and special art books etc..Plus not everyone has a internet connection..
If they do put it on digital only the games better be cheaper

[HaoSenVastForest]

Well I dont see how this works because like Mootap said not everyone has internet. But at least they are doing something new, wether it is for the better or the worse I am just glad they arent copying Nintendo.

[Agent000]

Well I dont see how this works because like Mootap said not everyone has internet. But at least they are doing something new, wether it is for the better or the worse I am just glad they arent copying Nintendo.

Well I dont see how this works because like Mootap said not everyone has internet. But at least they are doing something new, wether it is for the better or the worse I am just glad they arent copying Nintendo.

Well, they ARE piggybacking Nintendo's tablet controller idea, but that may prove to be advantageous for the Wii U, since more developers will utilize the 2nd screen when they know that more than one console will have it.

[The Last Mellon]

http://www.mcvuk.com...ext-xbox/092534
Sorry if wrong section

MCV has learnt that Microsoft has been telling partners that the Next Xbox will NOT include a disc drive.
The briefings have been issued under what MCV’s source describes as “the strictest NDA” they have ever encountered.
Although the console will not include a disc drive, it will offer compatibility with some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage, although it is not known whether this will be proprietary or a more standard format such as SD.
Furthermore, a 2013 launch date for the hardware has been confirmed. What is less clear, however, is the intended timing of Microsoft’s announcement.
As revealed by MCV earlier this year, an E3 2012 reveal could still very much be on the cards.
The omission of a disc drive signifies the beginning of a new era for games consoles and represents a potentially savage blow to the already beleaguered video games retail sector.
Of course, retailers will tell you that they are already involved in the digital market. Indeed, GAME is enjoying growing revenue from the sale of digital download cards for digital-only titles and DLC.
Nonetheless, the abolition of physical games is bad news for retail however it is spun. With the Next Xbox positioned as a digital centric platform, the relevance of retail will once once again eroded.
When contacted by MCV Microsoft said that it does not comment on rumour and speculation.

Good or bad idea????? And what if you don't have internet to download games? If the games are not on SD/usb slick like device?

Edited by The Last Mellon, 09 March 2012 - 08:04 PM.

[hooky]

http://thewiiu.com/t...-for-next-xbox/

Also, wrong section.

[The Last Mellon]

oh wups
how can you delete

[Joshua]

Ohh please, no....

[Zok]

*thinks about PSP Go*
*shudders*

[Holloweaver]

i still like to see my games standing next to one another and dust them of from time to time... digital copies give me no 'feeling' at all... and i'm willing to pay a few bucks like i do now for that special or limited copy on my shelve, just my thoughts...

[Joshua]

*thinks about PSP Go*
*shudders*

Exactly. Even until now, I still think digital distribution is not ready for being the standard way of obtaining a video game.

Edited by Joshua, 10 March 2012 - 01:03 PM.