No HDD in Core 360 a "mistake", says dev

[Bodhesatva]

Game_boy said:

No HDD in Wii a "mistake", says dev

No HDD in DS a "mistake", says dev

No HDD in PSP a "mistake", says dev

No $99 PS3 a "mistake", says dev

No FREE CAKE a "mistake", says dev

No Portal on Wii a "mistake", says dev

My gender a "mistake", says dev

No Beer at E3 a "mistake", says dev

My hairstyle a "mistake", says dev

Free sniper rifles for fanboys a "mistake", says dev

No devs a "mistake", says Core 360 HDD

Still no $99 PS3 a "mistake", I blame Wii Fit, says dev

 

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My conclusion: DEAL WITH IT. Thank you.

This is about how I feel about it, but I'd put it in a more analytical way: game designers frequently talk about such things, without considering the economic consequences.

Xbox Live Should be free. The PS3 should cost less. All 360s should come with a hard drive. All games should be tailor made for their systems, so that CoD5 (as an example) takes full advantage of XBL's features on the 360, takes full advantage of the Sixaxis and Blu Ray on the PS3, and full advantage of the Wii Mote on the Wii.

It all sounds fantastic! Except the industry -- at least, the PS3/360 side things -- isn't exactly rolling in money as it is. Sony has bled billions over the last couple of years in this industry, and Microsoft has been bleeding billions since they entered. EA is losing money. Several other major publishers will lose money this year (not Activision, though!) or make slim profits. The last thing these companies want to do is shave earnings even further. 

I think the entire industry is suffering a slight case of man-child syndrome: a complete lack of awareness of financial reality and economic responsibility. I want a 1 dollar Refrigerator and a 50 cent Toaster. It's great for everyone! The appliance companies sell more units, and everyone gets cheaper toasters. What could possibly go wrong?