Earlier this week, Microsoft officially announced that their next-gen console will be unveiled at an event at their headquarters in Redmond, Washington. However, aside from this fact, the company is saving all of the juicy details for the May 21 reveal.
Luckily for those who just can't wait, this hasn't kept a number of sources from leaking unconfirmed specs and features for the "Xbox 720." Granted, until we hear the official word in May, this is all speculation, but it's some very interesting info nonetheless.
Earlier today, Polygon reported that Microsoft is changing the framework it uses to handle in-game achievements. Unlike the Xbox 360, developers will now be able to add new achievements without having to do so through DLC post launch.
According to Polygon:
"With the next Xbox, developers and publishers will be able to add more achievements to a game after launch, without the need to add DLC. This is designed specifically to allow developers to tweak player behavior, perhaps urging players to check out specific areas of a game or get past a difficult spot."
Achievements will also be available for a wider range of events, such as defeating a certain number of enemies during an "event" weekend, or even cross-platform or cross-title achievements for related games.
Additionally, the same report suggests that the new Xbox will allow players to have more than the current cap of 100 friends. It will allow people to "follow" others without being followed back, just like Twitter.
The Xbox 720 may also be implementing a share system similar to the PlayStation 4's, which would enable gamers to capture and share video via Ustream, Facebook, and other social networks. The console will allow you to set capture durations, or set up parameters to have the system auto-capture video, such as getting achievements or hitting a headshot.
Once again, Polygon's report reiterates that the Xbox 720 will utilize always-on DRM. However, their sources state that it won't be a universal requirement, and that the publisher of that particular game has the option to enable or disable this feature.
Windows blogger Paul Thurrott is also reporting a few interesting details. Thurrot claims that the Xbox 720 will hit stores in November, which is interestingly the same month that the PlayStation 4 is rumored to drop.
In addition, Thurrot's sources report that it will be priced at $500. A $300 model will also be available, but will require a two year commitment to Xbox Live Gold. This total would come out to be about $540, but would be worth it if you planned on subscribing to Gold anyways.
Thurrott also writes that the May 21 reveal event will be the first in a series of Xbox 720 announcements. He states that the next event will take place in June at E3 2013, and will showcase the full launch title lineup. A third event will take place at the Build conference in San Francisco later that month, and will be oriented towards developers.
According to the report, the Xbox 720 platform "suggests a common apps platform or at least one that is similar to that used by Windows 8." This means we may see some cross-functionality between the 720 and other Windows devices.
Hardware-wise, it will utilize a Blu-ray optical drive, and Thurrott once again confirms an always-on requirement. He does state that it "isn't as Draconian as many seem to believe," which may be an allusion to the feature Polygon highlighted.
Additionally, Microsoft plans to release a third generation Xbox 360 alongside the next-gen console in 2013. Codenamed the "Stingray," it will be "significantly less expensive." Lastly, Thurrott reports that the previously rumored "Yuma," an entertainment-centric Xbox that did not play games, has been shelved indefinitely.
It bears noting that all of this is currently unconfirmed. We should learn a lot more once the May 21 reveal rolls around though, so stay tuned here for more news.
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