There's been no sight of Microsoft's next-generation gaming console yet - in spite of Sony hurtling out of the gate with the PS4 reveal earlier this month. The rumour mill keeps churning away, however, and unfortunately for the Xbox faithful, not all of it sounds all that positive. 

To wit, VGLeaks has published a series of screenshots it says are of Microsoft software from the next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Durango. If geunine, the appear to back up earlier reports that the next Xbox - whenever it arrives - will require an always present online connection to work, that a mandatory installation of the new Kinect device will be required and that it will block users from playing second hand games. On the plus side, however, it will contain a Blu-ray disc drive.

The documents state that the Durango dev kit will have an "always on, always connected design" allowing console owners to "quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install updates". In layman's terms it sounds like users won't have to stop playing games in order to download updates.

"Every Durango console will have a hard drive, although its exact capacity has not been chosen," the documentation reads. "It will be large enough, however, to hold a large number of games. All games will be installed on the hard drive. Play from the optical disc will not be supported. Durango consoles will have a Blu-ray disc drive. Disc media will be used for distribution, but during gameplay, games will not use content from the optical disc.

"An installation system is being designed that will allow gamers to begin playing while the game is being installed on the hard drive rather than waiting until installation is complete."

The documentation also said the new Xbox would feature "a new high-fidelity Kinect sensor, which will be required for the system to operate".

If all of this is true, it could prove a bitter pill for Xbox fans to swallow - especially when one considers that Sony have stated the PS4 won't require an always on internet connection and it will play second hand games.

Image: VGLeaks