Digital distribution might be an important feature for the PS4 or Xbox 720

Jan 18, 2013 15:06 GMT  ·  By

Next-generation consoles might support a mechanic that allows a game to be pre-downloaded ahead of its actual release and unlock right when the game is set to go on sale in retail stores, at least according to a survey from Activision for Call of Duty fans.

Next-generation consoles are expected to be revealed to the world later this year, possibly at E3 2013, and many rumors about them have already started floating around the web.

Now, a new report has surfaced about the features of devices like the PlayStation 4 or Xbox 720, thanks to a special survey sent by Activision to Call of Duty fans.

In the questionnaire, uncovered by Charlie Intel, fans are asked about their opinion of a digital version of a Call of Duty game that's pre-downloaded to their consoles and available for play right at 12:01am on launch day.

Such a mechanic, while the norm on the PC platform, isn't supported by current-generation consoles, although Sony's been trying to add such a thing to its PlayStation Network online service for some time.

As such, it stands to reason that future home consoles might feature a much better integration of digital downloads, just like Steam, for example, on the PC.