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[hadareud]

Well, considering MS (Todd Holmdahl in particular) have stated that you will need a HDD to use Xbox Live (loading up a profile etc.) how's it gonna work without one? IGN has stated in their earlier pricing announcement, that the Xbox Live Silver Membership and the ability to do microtransactions and custom soundtracks would still be there.

I might be in denial about the whole HDD issue, which leads me to remember the M-Systems announcement about Flash memory being included in the 360. Probably way out of line, but is a, say 1 or 2 GB flash memory drive being included still a possibility?

 

[DopeyFish]

you need at least a memory card for live.

that is it

 

[PhatSaqs]

With a mem card.

I'm wondering with all of USB device capability if it supports USB jump drives as well. Probably not.

 

[The Bookerman]

And with Xbox backwards compatibility?

How's that gonna happen without a HD?

 

[sgt]

I think the HD will be a required purchase if you want backwards compatibility.

 

[dark10x]

I think the HD will be a required purchase if you want backwards compatibility.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Buying the HDD for XBOX compatibility is akin to buying the remote for DVD playback (though more expensive as you are getting another console).

I just talked with a friend of mine (who manages an EB) as well as my sibling (who works for at the same store). Both are extremely pissed off about MS offering two SKUs, as that makes their job much more difficult this fall. They've been taking pre-orders for a generic SKU, but now that MS is offering two, how are they going to deal with that? Lots of pissed off customers will be the result, especially as a result of its holiday launch.

ArcadeStickMonk is also going to be extremely pissed off at the controller prices (needs PCBs for stick making).

 

[CorruptionDee]

I'm just coming home from work, so I just read that Microsoft will release the Xbox 360 in two SKUs. I think that's a pretty dumb move, and will seriously cripple the sales. The two SKUs aren't really my problem with Microsoft's decision. The thing that irks me the most is the omission of the 20GB harddrive in the $299 model. WTF are they thinking? That was the best part of the first Xbox. This means that most developers will never take full advantage of the HDD like they did with the first Xbox, because it's no longer standard issue. Not including the wireless controller, etc. standard is one thing, but the omission of the HDD is another.How much does a 20 GB HDD go for now at days? $30 or $40? Dumb move MS, you'll pay a great price for dividing your userbase.

 

[sangreal]

Well, considering MS (Todd Holmdahl in particular) have stated that you will need a HDD to use Xbox Live (loading up a profile etc.) how's it gonna work without one? IGN has stated in their earlier pricing announcement, that the Xbox Live Silver Membership and the ability to do microtransactions and custom soundtracks would still be there.

A HDD is not required for anything mentioned in this post.

 

[Crag Dweller]

Microsoft should have priced a 40 gig for 50 or 60 bucks. That way they would get both sku's upgrading.

 

[Yusaku]

I'm begining to think the real mistake is expensive proprietary memory cards, not the lack of HD. A $30 256MB SD card on a PS3 should be fine for saves and some simple downloadable content. A 64MB card will probably get tight.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Buying the HDD for XBOX compatibility is akin to buying the remote for DVD playback

Bingo. Just like the DVD Forum royalty is built into the remote, the Nvidia royalty is built into the cost structure of the HDD.

 

[acidviper]

Microsoft should have priced a 40 gig for 50 or 60 bucks. That way they would get both sku's upgrading.

Yoda: They will, they will.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

With a mem card.

I'm wondering with all of USB device capability if it supports USB jump drives as well. Probably not.

Here's the great thing about all this. People are going to buy a mem card for live. Then, when they get pissed because it's full, they will spring for the 100 dollar, reasonably priced, hard drive! Imagine it!

Think about it. The mem card is 64 MB?

What's 20 GB/64 MB?

The hard drive is approx 312 times the size of the mem card. That $100 is a great deal!

Yipee! MS makes a fuckton on a HD sale!

 

[element]

A HDD is not required for anything mentioned in this post.

you do need someplace to save your Xbox Player Profile.

remember the M-Systems announcement about Flash memory being included in the 360

I'm pretty sure that deal got nuked because the CEO opened his mouth.