Rumour: Xbox 720 set to ditch optical disc drive?

by Sophie Charara  |  Sunday 11 March 2012
Rumour: Xbox 720 set to ditch optical disc drive?

Could Microsoft's next-gen console ditch the discs in favour of downloads?

The next Xbox 720 console could arrive with no disc drive if video game mag MCV's insider tipster at a 'Microsoft partner' is to be believed. As well as restating the almost certain 2013 'Xbox 720' release date, the chatty source also hinted that the future console will be a digital centric platform relying on game downloads instead of discs.

How will a disc-less Xbox 720 cope with our broadband speeds? Chances are, not spectacularly – but remember that the next Xbox won't be kicking back in our lounges till the end of next year. 

Any gamers upset about digital downloads may be relieved to hear that MCV's source did mention the possibility of the Xbox 720 supporting interchangeable solid-state card storage (though it's unknown whether this would be SD or proprietary).

This Xbox 720 rumour sparked off much spirited debate in the office – does it make sense for Microsoft to ditch the optical drive or is it foolish since our broadband speeds are so shocking?

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See more about:  720  |  microsoft  |  rumour  |  mill  |  xbox
 
 

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Comments: 8
nathsgames
12 March 2012
 Australian broadband is now where near where it needs to be to support a digital lifestyle. Quotas are another whole argument. This could not work currently in Australia, one would have to wait a week to get a next gen console game downloaded, then wait a month for the quota to reset.


Comment made about the PC & Tech Authority article:
Rumour: Xbox 720 set to ditch optical disc drive??
Could Microsoft's next-gen console ditch the discs in favour of downloads?

What do you think? Join the discussion.
nathsgames
12 March 2012
 That should say "no" where near
jimminy_ls
12 March 2012
 could work if they go for the solid state storage idea. though if they do this they're going to drop the big section of buyers who bought up big on the PS3, those that like the idea of having a theatre room console that can double as a media streamer DVD/Blu-ray player and PVR. Most PS3 owners I know have the PS3 for these reasons, not just because it plays games. drop the optical drive and users will require an additional piece of hardware in their theatres/family rooms.
petergaskin
12 March 2012
 But the future is no optical disks. Who needs optical disks when you have the cloud?
Also - more and more media will be streamed - its the future! Whether we like it or not.
photohounds
12 March 2012
 Yes we all know the dvd store will become a thing of the past inside 5 years ... extra advantage? - digital can be DRM'd and made very difficult to copy ...
willtell
12 March 2012
 I haven't bought a retail version of a game in years. As a PC gamer, we have been moving to a download only format for a very long time. I only buy via a downloadable service now. I can also say that all my mates do as well.

It's only a matter of time for the consoles to catch on to a better way of doing things.
n3m3515
13 March 2012
 I don't believe it's about being a better way of doing things but rather a means to increase profits and reduce piracy. Having to download and play your games through a service means they can get on-going costs and reduce piracy. But also what happens when you've finished playing the game? Can you sell it if you no longer get a disc? Can you lend it to a friend if it's download only?
What happens if you run out of hard disk space? Do you uninstall one program and re-download it again sometime later when you want it again? Not really a better way of doing things for everyone in my opinion.
I like having the disk as I can sell it if I don't like it or re-install it at a later date.
willtell
13 March 2012
 n3m3515... you're spot on the money. Developers despise the 2nd hand market for games. As a Steam user, I can't sell or gift any game that I have purchased for myself. It's permanently attached to my account. I can remove it if I no longer want it on my system, but I'll always have access to download it.

This is my biggest gripe with Steam. They could put together a Steam marketplace and allow users to trade or sell their games (while taking a cut) and it's been suggested by many people but no progress yet. Once again, the model solves their issue of eliminating the 2nd hand market so I doubt it would be a priority.

But that could be an avenue for Microsoft to take advantage of. It will keep users spending with them, keep the developers loyal and give them a cut of all transactions.
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