In an internal memo sent to Microsoft employees working on the next Xbox, Microsoft has said “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.”

This ultimately ends speculation towards the new Xbox’s “always on” requirement that has been the center of rumors for the past several months. It’s refreshing to know that this one rumor has been squashed or at least their internal direction has shifted since the enormous backlash from the rumor.

The above statement also mentions something that hasn’t been the center of attention – the ability for the new Xbox to receive live TV input. This inclusion will move the Xbox slightly ahead of the PS4 in terms of providing a complete media package.

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