Two new sources have reportedly spoke to Kotaku about the Next Xbox or Xbox 720, codenamed Durango, that is expected to release alongside the PlayStation 4 in late 2013 or early 2014, and it’s always-online system. The internet has been in an uproar about the same – and it seems that it’s more or less a given that it will be included.
One of the sources stated that, “Unless something has changed recently. Durango consumer units must have an active internet connection to be used.”
And it more or less confirms our worst fears when the source states that, “If there isn’t a connection, no games or apps can be started. If the connection is interrupted then after a period of time – currently three minutes, if I remember correctly – the game/app is suspended and the network troubleshooter started.”
Take it with a grain of salt, but so far, it’s still an uncomfortable possibility.
Coming off of Sony stating that you don’t need to be online to use the PS4, we have to wonder if Microsoft knows what it’s doing given the sour response always-online games have had.