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Rumor: Next Xbox Requires Online Connection

As we get closer to the official unveiling of the next Xbox, more talk circulates about the console. A new round of chatter says that an online connection will be required.

Edge says that sources with good knowledge of the upcoming system say that it will require an online connection, but that physical discs for it will still be sold at retail. If this rumor is true, it would certainly jibe with what we've heard developers talk about when characterizing the next-generation of systems: a gaming environment that is "always on."

The article also mentions the system's prohibition of used games, use of Blu-ray discs, and an upgraded Kinect – stuff we've heard before.

If this always-on rumor is true, while annoying and even a barrier to entry for some consumers, it would seem to fit into Microsoft's stated ambition to make its next system streaming/downloadable media focused.

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Comments
  • this will put off a lot of people who dont have or dont want to be online. I really hope thats if this is true that microsoft is reading comments and that they will change it.

  • Automatic no buy if true. I was already leaning ps4 if MS continued to charge for Gold membership since Sony does the same thing for free.
  • Game Informer: Please stop posting rumors. You are only hurting your credibility. Its been proven multiple times that anyone can start these rumors, and that most of them end up being incorrect.

  • That's a bunch of ***, we pay out of our asses just to get a game, then to play online, *** you Microsoft, if that's your plan, then plan on over 5 million fans saying the same thing!

  • I'll believe it when I see it. A lot of these rumors flying around are likely 100% crap.

  • If that is true, then Microsoft may see a decrease of fans. Paying sixty dollars is already running me dry. Plus some people, I am even tempting to say many people do not have access to internet so how will you play games?  

  • Rumors are not relieable..... but if we haveimg same rumors with more less same information and coming on rreliable sources agian and agian I fear this might be the fact. I think, like many ms fans out, just have not come to grips with he next step in console development

  • Well thats a stupid idea. What about all the people who love Xbox but dont have internet access? What about old retired people like my dad who love their Xbox but dont know anything about internet and computers? What about military men like my husband who pass the time while deployed playing their Xbox on a ship that lacks high speed internet? Honestly I dont even like the Xbox but there are plenty of people who do and this is really not fair to them.

  • This sucks if it's true. Not that i'm leaning on getting the next xbox anyways. But the trend seems to be, if one console does it, the other one follows. I hope the PS4 doesnt have that. I live in an area where the internet company is always doing maintenance (which pisses me off at how regularly it is) and i would hate to not be able to play games because of it.

  • Oh great, so every game gets to suffer from Diablo-itus now. Excellent. The idea that I can't play a game when their servers go down (and they will) does not sit well with me.
  • If true, I won't be buying the new Microsoft system.  Sorry, guys.  I'm not paying you $500 for a system and then dealing with annoying functionality requirements just so you can spam me with ads from your partner corporations.

  • That's such a b/s rumor. No hardware manufacture is going to risk alienating one potential buyer of it's hardware. While preventing piracy is very important to MS they know there's still a small group of people that don't have access to high speed internet. That said I'm sure they'll have way to "encourage" you to be online all the time by making some service that you really want be available only when you're signed into Live.
  • There are so many issues with having an always-on console that I don't even know where to start. I hope to god this isn't true. If it is, I hope there's enough backlash that MS will change their stance before launch.

  • Microsoft wouldn't do that because they need the money. If they cut out 1/4 of their user base, then the next Xbox will not sell well.

  • There are so many issues with having an always-on console that I don't even know where to start. I hope to god this isn't true. If it is, I hope there's enough backlash that MS will change their stance before launch.

  • For a start why should I be connected to the net 24/7 to play games?...if I don't have the net or it goes down I carnt play,well I'm so so so sorry that it's a problem out of my hands but youve took my  cash and you don't care even if I  have spent thousands of £'s your not connected you don't play well bulls**t and you know it...I don't mind IF I have to buy online only but if I want to disconnect and play  I carnt because you say I carnt boll**ks to you...I'm not a big fan of Xbox anyway even though I have one(only for halo,L4D and such) this is the nail in the coffin for me.....so if it's not cash to play online(gold membership) its now no net no play...is it me or is this just another kick in the balls from Microsoft?...They charge for everything and anything,I pay for Netflix and love film but if I dont have gold I carnt watch anything,crap...Microsoft are so tight and stingy it's unbelievable.....oh and let's not forget the we want the DLC first or we'll spit our dummy out crap......Just sort it out you mugs..oh sorry that's me and everyone else who goes along with it and I have but for long enough,bye bye Microsoft...I'm now 100% Sony now and forever....

  • If this is true I would be really dissapointed, especially since I travel and take my xbox with me to places where internet access isnt available

  • Everytime I read these rumor posts about what features the nextbox could possibly have , I think ; "Can ya make it NOT burst into flames?"

  • hope its not true. and, prohibition of used games? well....

  • If this is true then Big M has lost tons of customers even before they released the new Xbox. I hope its not true. I really hope its not true.