VGLeaks: First look at Durango XDK (always connected, kinect required, no play from optical discs))

[D-Joe]

Zappykins said:

Lafiel said:

upon reading that it seems that this "always on, always connected" only means, that it has a standby mode in which it can still update and maintain network connection (didn't the 360 already do the same?) and not that you need to have your console connected at all times to use it

the part that says it won't play games from disc but rather install all of them and may start playing while installing is curious though - that pretty much rules out below 500GB HDDs and indicates there might be several skus with different HDD size

I guess I’m one of the few that seems most of this information as a good thing:

Installing to a Hard Drive and not running from an optical disk – This is a good thing.  It is one of the complaints about the X360 vs the PS3 (with it’s mandatory installs.)  Developers do not like that they have to design it to run of the optical drive.  It has been limiting games.  Having all mandatory installs will open up publishers to more constancy and power.  Plus, it sounds like even the low end model gets a nice big hard drive.

Kinect 2.0 included and required – Probably also a good thing.  It’s just like my Kinect I use now, only not every game uses it.  Now, it will be moving from an optimal accessory, to something every single game can use. So more games will have the option of Voice/Movement commands – and perhaps more (like in game video/avatar chat.)  But don't worry, I'm sure not all of them will force you to use it.

Always On Internet – I read that like the current Xbox 360.  It doesn’t say MUST be always on, but gives you the option of updating/syncing your saves/ and downloading in the background – just like now.  I really doubt they will have a  requirement to be always connected to the internet.  That I would not like, as you couldn’t take your game to your friends, internet goes down, etc.   (I don't think Microsoft will do this and I hope I am correct.)

I still don’t see that it blocks used games. It’s the same now – you can install your game on the X360, but you still need the disk to run it.  But you can sell that disk and delete the install when you are finished.  And if you want to pick it up again, your saved files, are separate from the install. It is still possible it could block used games, I am just not convinced yet.

Overall, this seems like good information that fixes some of the complaints/growing pains about the 360.  I just wish they had scrolled down to ‘Specs.’  Plus, I do not think this is all that recent, as DirectX 11.1 launched with Windows 8, so it might be somting higher or 11.1B.

It will be an ineresting reveal!

 

Well yeah "always on" means low power mode,and "always connected"=always maintain a network connection even in stand by mode,what is it for?no waiting for the console to restart or install updates.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=50798253#post50798253

But they never said users required online to play games