Ever since Microsoft first launched the Xbox 360 with two SKUs (a Pro version with 20GB and a Core version without a hard drive), industry professionals and gamers alike have debated whether Microsoft ultimately made the right move. Microsoft would tell you that they're offering consumers "choice" and a cheaper price of entry, but a majority of gamers would likely tell you that you can't really get the most out of the console without a hard drive. Moreover, some developers have argued that not having a hard drive standard across the 360 platform means they have to develop to the lowest common denominator – with the assumption that no one has a hard drive.

Now Rory McGuire, the lead designer on Bourne Conspiracy, has fanned the flames once again, lamenting the lack of a hard drive in the Core system. "In retrospect I wish Microsoft had made the choice to have [mandatory] hard drives like Sony did with the PS3," he said in an interview with CVG. "They did it with the original Xbox. I'm not sure why they decided to not require a hard drive on the 360. From what I understand they don't move many [Core/Arcade] units."

He went on to point out the benefits of having a hard drive for developers and he said Microsoft's decision ultimately was a mistake. "If you have a hard drive, the whole game loads faster. Obviously you'll be facing a short install time, but the developer benefits from it and you definitely benefit from it as a player," he said. "So I think that was one of the mistakes that Microsoft made with the 360."