Although there is still quite a bit of time until the Xbox 720 comes out, the headline practically speaks for itself. The next-generation Xbox will definitely be a home-run for Microsoft and gamers alike, assuming this recent report is, in fact, true. Sources close to the development of the Xbox 720 claim that it will be shipping to gaming retailers and big box stores in late October or November of 2013, meaning the rumor-mill has started especially early this year.

Initial reports posted by IGN suggests that the gaming system’s GPU will start being cranked out near the end of 2012 (assuming we survive, of course) and that it won’t be based on AMD’s 7000 series of GPU. Rather, it will be using AMD’s 6000 series instead, which was also introduced late last year. Finally, the same report finishes with the claim that it will have multi-display output, 3D and 1080p HD output and offer support for DirectX11.

Xbox 720 Will Yield 20% Greater Performance Than Nintendo’s Upcoming Wii U

Now on to the not so pleasant news, but again, do keep in mind that all this is based on the anonymous insights of some insiders. A supposed reliable source to the Xbox 720 project has told some gaming websites that Microsoft intends to build in some sort of a detection system that will essentially work to prevent people from playing used games. Although unconfirmed, we do see how this can be a definite possibility, especially given the fact that they have time to consider every possibility since it’s not set to come out until 2013. For all we know, this employee overheard people talking about this possible anti-used game feature and assumed that it was something they were seriously considering. All we know is that countless companies that practically float on the resale of used games (i.e. GameStop, EB Games), along with most game developers, are definitely not going to be standing behind this.

Death of the Used Game?

Are we foreseeing the death of used games? Is this a sign of things to come? Well, the PlayStation Vita, Sony’s follow up to the PSP, will have digital copies of games that will be released in conjunction to a physical copy, but the catch is that the digital copy will be cheaper to purchase. It seems like Apple’s system of providing digital games that cost nothing to produce, which also prevent the sale of any used games, is a model that more and more companies are looking to adopt.