Microsoft Xbox 720 To Use Blu-Ray & Anti-Used Game Technology?

By Matt Mann / January 26, 2012

According to a report on Kotaku, the next generation Xbox will follow in Sony's lead and include Blu-Ray technology. Right now a regular DVD for the Xbox 360 can only hold 9 GB, while the PS3 Blu-Ray discs can hold up to 25 GB. This news shouldn't be too surprising, as next generation games will most likely be even bigger than the ones we have now requiring that much more space. However, the other news reported in the Kotaku article is very surprising and a little suspicious. According to their sources, Microsoft intends to incorporate a form of anti-used games technology in the next generation Xbox. Kotaku:

"It's not clear if that means that the system wouldn't play used games or how such a set-up would work. Obvious approaches€”I'm theorizing here€”like linking a copy of a game to a specific Xbox Live account could seemingly be foiled by used-game owners who would keep their system offline. My source wasn't sure how Microsoft intended to implement any anti-used game system in the new machine."

In addition, the next generation Xbox will supposedly include the next generation Kinect that would: "contain an on-board processor, a feature originally intended for the first Kinect. That processor would enable a new Kinect to more effectively detect users' motions." It has been evident for some time now that companies are trying to find any way possible to move away from used game sales. However, Microsoft providing anti-used game technology built right in to the system is something I have not heard of before. The question becomes would this hurt sales of the Xbox 720 (or whatever it is called), and would Sony and Nintendo have to follow suit? If Microsoft follows through with this technology, my guess is that publishers would blackball Sony and Nintendo into the same thing; for example EA would refuse to create games for Sony's next gaming system unless it has the same technology or something similar to prevent used games. If you want Battlefield 5 on the PS4 you need to have a used games prevention technology or else kind of thing. Would this technology discourage you from buying the next generation Xbox or PlayStation? Update: Here is Microsoft's response to the article:

"As an innovator we're always thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of technology like we did with Kinect. We believe the key to extending the lifespan of a console is not just about the console hardware, but about the games and entertainment experiences being delivered to consumers. Beyond that we don't comment on rumors or speculation."

This is the first time that I have heard Microsoft respond to any rumor about their next generation console, meaning even though this is just a rumor for now; the fact Microsoft even responded to the article and the wording of this response indicates to me that they are definitely looking into anti-used games technology.