No Hard Drive? No Halo: Reach Online Co-op or Firefight for You [Updated]

[Update 6:40pm] A Microsoft spokesperson has told Shacknews, "We are aware of the issue and are looking into it." The wording here makes it seem like the game may not be functioning as intended. Perhaps it was supposed to be able to function on flash memory, either internal to the new 4GB Xbox 360 or connected via USB. We'll keep you updated with further developments.

[Original Story] Hoping to jump online with friends for some online co-op in Halo: Reach? You'd better be equipped with an Xbox 360 hard drive. Kotaku received a user tip that online campaign and Firefight play is not possible without an Xbox 360 HDD and Shacknews has confirmed that this is indeed the case.

Also, through the course of testing various modes, Xav and I determined that it is no longer possible to watch saved films with friends as theater mode now supports just one player. Halo 3 supported multiple players in a shared theater viewing lobby.

The back of the Halo: Reach box declares that "storage requirements are subject to change," and that "some features and downloads require additional storage, hardware, and/or fees." Older titles like Battlefield: Bad Company 2 said, "hard drive recommended, and is required for some features," but newer titles like NHL 11 match the wording on Halo: Reach's box.

Though Microsoft is likely in the clear with the disclaimers printed on the box, it would have been nice to inform users that a hard drive would specifically be required for major features in the company's biggest game of 2010. Users with Arcade and Arcade S systems will need to purchase Microsoft's official HDD to play online co-op, Firefight, or use Theater mode as connected flash memory or USB-based external hard drives will not be sufficient.

Shacknews has contacted both Bungie and Microsoft for more information on this issue.