But really, the new information is old.
I'll explain. VGLeaks has posted screenshots for an Xbox Development Kit, with follow up via The Verge. The information gleaned from both sources indicates that the Durango has not only a massive hard drive capable of holding a host of installed games, but that it's actually going to be mandatory that games are installed to the drive and can only be played without discs. There are also references to an "always on, always connected" phrase that keeps cropping up as a descriptor of the console itself.
So, what does this mean? First, there's no indication that "always on, always connected" means the worst case scenario of what we might think. That would be a console with permanent DRM that requires an internet connection at all times. The PS4 has also extolled its "always connected" capabilities, but that was in reference to background downloads and such, not a requirement of an internet connection to play games. So no need to panic on that front yet.
As for the install requirement, that could be a touch more problematic. Such a system could pave the way for games to be installed using a one-time code that would effectively kill used games for the console. Emphasis on "could" at this point. Word has it that the console won't even support optical disc play at all, and there are only a few reasons that decision would be made. Killing used titles is one of them.
As for the "new vs. old" information debate, though this info is indeed just coming to light, the dates on it are from last year. That means that if Microsoft was planning on implementing such a system back then (before the PS4 was unveiled), it's possible they've reversed course by now.
I've read a few people talking about how this makes the Nextbox vs. PS4 decision "easy," if one system plays used games and the other doesn't. Word has it that the PS4 will indeed play used games, which would instantly be the biggest advantage the console has over its competition. Microsoft is really going to have to think long and hard about whether an anti-used games measure would be in their best interest. It's hard to see an upside to it if the PS4 really will allow the continued use of used titles. Why buy a console when all of the shared third party titles are available for cheap on its competitor? Microsoft's exclusive titles won't be enough to offset the loss of the ability to play used games in most players' minds.
Unless the elimination of used games comes with steep discounts on new, downloadable, installable titles, this is going to be very bad for consumers, and subsequently very bad for Microsoft. Hopefully this isn't where things are headed, but the winds are starting to blow in that direction. We'll wait and see as more information comes to light.
