Source says Microsoft's forthcoming console to ditch optical drive in favor of "interchangeable solid-state card storage"; will ship in 2013.

Microsoft's next Xbox will not have a disc drive, according to a source speaking to MCV.

The next Xbox won't have a disc drive, according to MCV's source.

To replace the disc drive, the console will supposedly offer "some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage." It was not made clear whether or not it will be proprietary or a common format like SD.

On top of suggesting the next Xbox would not include a disc drive, the source indicated that the console would ship in 2013. This falls in line with earlier speculation suggesting the console would launch sometime next year.

Earlier speculation suggested that not only would the next Xbox sport a disc drive, but it would also play Blu-ray discs, an upgrade from the Xbox 360's DVD functionality.

The site's unnamed source says the news was revealed under what it called "the strictest [non-disclosure agreement]" ever seen.

As of press time, Microsoft had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.

As for the next Xbox, speculation has run wild as to its form, capabilities, release date, and price. The latest rumors say the Xbox 360 successor could boast a tablet controller, block used games, and cost as much as $500.

It has also been suggested that the next Xbox is currently in development under the code name Durango. This speculation was stoked last month when a Crytek developer reportedly tweeted about attending a Durango developers summit in London.

For more on the next Xbox, check out GameSpot's rumor roundup concerning the new hardware from Microsoft.

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