No disk drive in new Xbox

The reports coming from a UK based trade source say that the new Xbox console slated for a release in 2013 will not have a disk drive. The ‘steam box’ made by Valve Software and an essential part of Xbox consoles will not be a part of the future console.

MCV, the gaming industry publication has reported that this move is being undertaken by Xbox to make the gamers buy games online for their consoles. They also claim that the new console may be called Xbox 720. The new console may also boast of some sort of solid-state storage which may be removable in nature. Also grapevine has that the new Xbox console may have touch screen controls.

The expected release of the console in 2013 comes almost after ten years of the first release by Microsoft in March 2002. The company has also readied a tenth anniversary bundle for its European markets.

Microsoft is expected to launch a teaser of sorts at the E3 trade show, which has over the years become a launching platform for new consoles readying to hit the markets.

Valve has been preparing the Steam Big Picture Mode UI said Valve’s Director for Marketing, Doug Lombardi.