Rumor: Next Microsoft Console Will Challenge the Consumer by Banning Used Games

To ban used games, or not to ban used games…

Is that seriously a question?

Now I encourage everybody to always consider purchasing the game new to support the developers, but I would never force them to do such a thing. However, according to a source close to Edge, the next Microsoft console, or Xbox 720 as you would call it, is set just to do that. The rumor suggests the 720 is primed to be going the route of requiring a persistent online connection. The reason?  To prevent the use of second hand games.

And to that I say: BOLD. MOVE.

Let the record show I do not support this (nor does any gamer I reckon’), but the idea may sit well with some developers considering the funds “lost” to second hand games in the used games sections of GameStop, Best Buy, Craigslist and many others. Perhaps developers are behind this, but one company’s thinking does not necessarily reflect that of the whole industry. Therefore my statements are only pure conjecture. Seriously, I am just sharing some thoughts here so don’t get mad.

Both sides have been rumored at one point or another to have a system in place to ban second hand games, but this is first time we’ve heard about it in 2013, and so close to the supposed unveiling of the PS4 – which can only be followed up by the next Microsoft console reveal very soon after.

Thing of the past? Not Likely…

Edge goes on to say that Microsoft will have conceded defeat and has accepted the Blu-Ray format (Well, what else were they going to do?) while possibly pairing each disc with an activation code. Activating the code would then render the disc useless to anyone else. The source continues by detailing the specs of the new console; most of which we’ve already heard, but ill say em’ again.

• AMD Eight-core x64 1.6ghz CPU
• D3D 11X 800 MHz  Graphics
• 8GB DDR3 RAM

Basically, the core of what those three lines above are saying is that Microsoft’s next consoles intends to be the business.  Personally, I am looking forward to good thing from Microsoft and Sony in the next coming months. Not because I want to see the consoles per se, I just want these damn rumors to stop! Until then, lets just enjoy our awesome games and keep it tuned to Analog Addiction for all the gaming news you care about (and some you don’t!).

Jaime aka. Paco is an avid fan of JRPGs and Lakers basketball, both of which are doing somewhat poorly in their current state, however both seem to show positive improvement in the future. If you want to pop him a question, just comment below or reach him on his Twitter @RTBL1990