New Xbox 720 Leak Claims System Will Always be Online

Update: An EDGE source says the leak is "entirely legitimate" and reflects information they published earlier this year.

Original story: New leaks reportedly confirm that Microsoft's next console will always require an internet connection and games will be installed onto the system from optical discs. 

VGLeaks claims to have seen Microsoft's Xbox Development Kit (XDK) for software programming. The next Xbox, believed to be codenamed 'Durango', will need a constant internet connection according to the system's supposed Hardware Overview.

"The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that console software and games are always current," a screenshot of the Overview (below) suggests.

"With this 'Always on, always connected' design, users will quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the system to restart or install updates," the file reads.

The documentation also states that the system will not actually need to read optical discs once a game has been installed onto the console. This, coupled with the system's always online capability, would seem to suggest that Xbox 720 owners will not be able to use pre-owned discs. 

The file goes on to say that "Every Durango console will have a hard drive, although its exact capacity has not been chosen. It will be large enough, however, to hold a large number of games. All games will be installed on the hard drive. Play from the optical disc will not be supported."

Durango discs will be Blu-rays according to the report and gamers will be able to play a game while it is installing. 

However, "This documentation is preliminary and subject to change", it warns. 

Sony have announced that the PlayStation 4 will not require an always online connection and have said they will "do the right thing" with regard to used games on the system.