Report claims Microsoft's new console demands always-on broadband to fight piracy; system will include Blu-ray drive, ship for Christmas 2013.

Gamers will need an Internet connection to play next-generation Xbox titles, if a report proves accurate. VG247 cites sources who claim the next Xbox will require a constant Internet connection as a method of fighting piracy. No further information concerning this was offered.

Will the next-gen Xbox require a constant Internet connection?

Other details in the new report include word that the system will ship with a Blu-ray drive. This matches up with news from January, but jars with a report from last month, which said the next Xbox would ditch a disc drive entirely.

As for specs, multiple tipsters told the site that the next Xbox will sport two graphics processing units (GPUs), with one source saying, "It's like two PCs taped together." Graphics cards in the system are believed to be equivalent to AMD's 7000 series GPUs, but "not CrossFire or SLI."

If a report from last week proves accurate, the next PlayStation--the Orbis--will also be powered by AMD technology.

Additionally, the site reports that the Xbox 360 successor will use "four or six" cores for processing. One is for the Kinect and one for the operating system, according to the site.

Lastly, the next generation Kinect is said to be built into the machine as a standard feature. Microsoft blogger MS Nerd last week said gamers shouldn't expect the next iteration of Kinect until 2015.

As for a release window, the site says the next Xbox will be on store shelves during the 2013 holiday season. A 2013 release for the system falls in line with previous reports, which suggested the mystery console would ship during that window.

A Microsoft representative issued the following statement to GameSpot:

"Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend its lifecycle like introducing the world to controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention. Beyond that we do not comment on rumors or speculation."

For more on the next-generation Xbox--as well as the PlayStation 4 and Wii U--check out GameSpot's rumor roundup feature.

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