Why is it that current games take up 6GB when older games fit on a few 1.44MB disks? Source is a relic of an engine- not only is the engine code slightly lighter but the art assets are significantly lesser then a more modern engine will demand.
That is twenty to thirty minutes if they use something as outdated and compact as Source. It isn't enough.
PC games ship with compressed files which are then installed and extracted on to your HD- this is not something that can happen on a console. What do you think Unreal3 is going to ship on? Likely a DVD9- using compressed files and perhaps multiple discs.
There is NO compelling reason to buy an XBox360 at launch or prior to the launch of the PS3 for that matter. MS is shipping far too early due to their desire to get a head start on Sony- what is the point without a strong reason to build demand for their brand? Their first killer app is going to ship when the PS3- complete with Blu-Ray- launches. If MS can't handle offering a next gen console now, then they shouldn't be trying to offer a next gen console now.
Without the capability to play the latest emerging media formats for playback MS shouldn't be launching at over $200- forget $400.
Not sure if its several dozens or hundreds. Japanese developers tend to use an obscene amount in their games. This is the area where MS got obliterated by Sony this gen and what should be a large area of concern for them(although clearly not enough to do what they need to do).
Nothing lower then 720p allowed per MS's orders- devs are pretty p!ssed off with that one too. You offer lower then 720p content your game doesn't hit the system. Also, compression artifacts are pretty heavy at that bit rate for 720p.