In the continuing toe-to-toe battle of the next-gen consoles, it seems that both the PS4 and Xbox 720 are going in the direction of providing better content for users, this time adapting a method that has been tried, tested, and proven with mobile games: the free-to-play model.

"The next-gen consoles are going to be fully embracing the free-to-play and these IAP-type business models, said Mark Rein, Epic Games vice president, to The Guardian.

"So in case you don't know that, I'm putting that out there. Sony and Microsoft are both going heavily in that area."

In-app gaming is already very much practiced in mobile gaming, as it allows gamers the choice of which sections of the game to buy and which ones to stick with free play. It is also a great way for gamers to check out an app before buying, so that each purchase will really be a game truly wanted.

It is also a benefit for developers, especially those in the indie department, as they can get their games up and running to be available in the market, while putting freemium at work for profit.

While the Xbox 720 has not yet named any game title that would highlight this new feature, Sony has already confirmed one of its game titles, Blacklight; Retribution will be free-to-play.

No more Xbox TV?

Even with the addition of free-to-play games in the itinerary of the Xbox 720, it seems that one major feature will be missing during its launch.

Forbes reports that the planed Xbox TV, an accompanying set-top box that would allow for live TV streaming to the Xbox 720 and create a more-than-gaming entertainment hub for the Xbox may now be scrapped.

This comes from the fact that many competitors are already out in the market, with some sold at lower prices. The worst that the Xbox TV can do would be to take away from the potential sales that the Xbox 720 can have instead.

This will put Microsoft's original plan for the next-gen console into jeopardy, especially with the planned heavy integration of other channels and modes of entertainment into the Xbox.

Tracing down the path of iterations and revisions for the Xbox TV plans shows that it used to be the improved Xbox 360 that's not quite the next-gen yet, with an added Windows 8 component. The Xbox TV has also been rumored to function with Kinect and conduct cross-platform operations, reports Polygon.

For the meantime, official word has yet to cancel or confirm the Xbox TV as an accompanying device when the next-gen Xbox gets released. Fans can place their best bet to knowing what Microsoft's real plans are for the Xbox 720 this May 21 at the Microsoft Xbox unveiling event.

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