As we draw closer to E3 we’re expecting to hear more and more about both Microsoft and Sony’s next-generation home games consoles, and recently we’ve heard some juicy gossip about the Xbox 720.
VGleaks believes it has uncovered a lengthy specifications list for the new console, which is currently codenamed ‘Durango’. The 720 is said to have a powerful 8-core 1.6GHz processor and a whopping 8GB of DDR3 RAM inside for plenty of power, alongside an 800MHz graphics chip, USB 3.0 connectivity and a Blu-ray drive.
The lack of a Blu-ray drive in the current Xbox 360 has been lorded over gamers by PS3 owners, who have been enjoying Blu-ray quality movies through their console for years. Microsoft did launch a HD-DVD Drive peripheral to try and compete, but unfortunately it backed the wrong platform, which eventually died out and gave way to Blu-ray.
Microsoft has said in the past that it would never use Blu-ray technology in its console, so it does make us question the authenticity of the leak. However, the image above comes from an official Microsoft document which clearly shows a Blu-ray disc in the company’s plans for a new console, so it could well be true.
The pure power from an eight-core processor and 8GB of RAM should pave the way for the next generation of video games, which in theory will have more mind-blowing graphics than ever before.
Analysts believe that Microsoft will reveal the Xbox 720 in June at the annual E3 gaming expo, with a launch a few months later being timed especially for Christmas 2013. The console is expected to sell for around £300-350.
Microsoft showed off an exciting new projection technology that could be in the next Xbox at CES, check that out right here.