Next Xbox won't require an internet connection for single-player games - report

For several months a slew of rumours have suggested that Microsoft's mysterious upcoming console will require an internet connection at all times in order to play games, but a recently leaked internal document suggests that this won't be the case.

"Durango [the codename for the next Xbox] is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today's Internet," read the memo obtained by Ars Technica. "There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should 'just work' regardless of their current connection status. Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single-player game."

The document remains cagey about certain aspects of the installation process, so it's possible that one will still need an internet connection to install and activate a game online, but then be able to access the content offline for subsequent playthroughs ala Steam.

We've contacted Microsoft on this matter, but all it said was, "We're excited to share more about the new generation of games, TV and entertainment on May 21, but have nothing further to share at this time." Guess we'll find out more in a fortnight, then.