Would Microsoft have crushed Sony if the Xbox 360 had had HD DVD built in?

[makingmusic476]

1. The first HD DVD players came to market on March 31, 2006. The 360's launched definitely would've been delayed, probably until sometime around May '06.  This would've cut the 360's lead time substantially, making more people wait for the ps3 instead of jumping on the 360's bandwagon early.
   
   
2. The high price of the 360 would've also caused people to wait for ps3s, even after Sony announced it's $599 USD price tag at E306.
   
   
3. Many of the 360's defacto exclusives (like Dead Rising) would've probably gone multiplat, with the ps3 releasing only ~six months later.
   

 

The Xbox didn't have the brand recognition to survive a launch price of $599.  Only Sony could've survived that, and they BARELY survived, suffering through absolutely horrible sales for most of 2007.  The Xbox would've gone the way of the 3DO.