| MikeB said: 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) |
Based on what sample? I'd prefer to see empirical data and your statements most certainly do not qualify that.
I also doubt the veracity of your claim that the benefits "are well explained" since you're comparing a game from the PS3 to the 360 and you should be well-aware that each system bottlenecks in different places making a direct benefits comparison more or less irrelevant. However, I would guess that developers would see far more benefits than the consumer (sadly easier development does not translate into a more appealing pricetag). Your claims that the 360 fanbase "would be happy about the decision" are specious at best especially considering the already widespread negative PR climate with the 360 and the less than positive PS3 fanbase reaction to installations.
I also find it amusing how you seem to posit that it would be no different than any other peripheral while not addressing the historical fact that peripherals are usually ignored by most all developers anyway.
