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

[MikeB]

Words Of Wisdom said:

MikeB said:
@ Entroper

Honestly, if 90% of the 360s out there have hard drives, than what the hell is wrong with a developer putting out a game that requires a hard drive? They only lose 10% of their targeted userbase, and they gain whatever functionality they wanted to gain for their game. I agree that the Core system with no hard drive was a stupid idea by MS, but there's no reason that developers have to be hamstrung by this mistake.

I agree, Microsoft should drop the Core, allow devs to require a harddrive if it's important for their games development. Existing Core users can upgrade if the game they want requires a harddrive. It ups the common strengths between PS3/360 cross platform development as well.

Dropping the Core SKU at this point would be meaningless and the PR backlash from 360 Core owners were developers to begin requiring hard drive installations would be painful especially so for Microsoft considering how much damage RRoD has done both in terms of expenses paid to fix and potential sales lost.

All in all it would be a stupid decision for Microsoft. Just what I'd expect you to recommend.

I think you exaggerate, based on a sample over 95% or XBox owners already seem to own a harddrive. (91% Premium users + Elite users + some Core user which already upgraded). If the benefits are well explained and future games like Mass Effect would be able to run more like Uncharted (no harddrive install, no in-game loading, texture pop-ups near eliminated, etc) the bulk of the 360 userbase would be happy about the decision.

Also Microsoft has more than enough resources to offer the tiny Core/Arcade userbase who lack a harddrive a special offer, maybe provide them an oppertunity to buy one at cost price combined with a year free XBox Live subscription. But even if they didn't the situation wouldn't be much different as a game requiring a Eyetoy, Lightgun, etc upgrade. (Not all games would have to require a harddrive, just the ones where it makes obsolute sense for their development)