According to reports now surfacing, Microsoft has apparently been briefing partners that the next Xbox console will not have a disc drive.
The report came from industry trade website MCV, and their source has indicated that Microsoft's decision to go disc drive-less is wrapped in "the strictest NDA" that they've ever seen.
MCV also stated that the next Xbox "will offer compatibility with some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage, although it is not known whether this will be proprietary or a more standard format such as SD."
In the same report, it was confirmed that 2013 release is likely for Microsoft's next console, making an appearance for the new Xbox at this year's E3 very plausible.
Microsoft responded to MCV's query over the report, stating: "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."
Whilst this initial report is far from official confirmation, the lack of disc drive may initially cause concern for the impact on games retail.
However, the "solid-state card storage" discussed may well mean boxed retail copies will still be an option, or at least a higher percentage split between physical and digital copies, similar to the model Sony's currently championing with the PS Vita.
The recently released PS Vita offers users access to all games in digital format, and the PC has a firmly established download market.
With that in mind, Microsoft's apparent decision to adopt a similar strategy, if the report holds true, may well be another logical step in embracing the digital market, and adopting a storage that's still avoiding Blu-ray and the chance of repeating the disc drive failures that dogged the Xbox 360's early years.