XBOX is in the news again..

[RSgamer]

Looked at the forum, didn't see a post..

 

 

 

From http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/mic ... ns/1274293:

 

 

 

[hide=Big Long Story Under Here]

Remember Last Week's story about Jason Johnson, the Illinois man who sued Microsoft over his Xbox 360's alleged habit of scratching his game DVDs?

 

 

 

Documents unsealed in his court case revealed Microsoft discovered its Xbox 360 could scratch discs before it went on sale in 2005, and even got as far as considering three possible solutions to the problem, the Seattle Tech Report revealed today.

 

 

 

The characteristic circular scratches can occur whenever the orientation of the console -- which is designed to be used in either a horizontal or vertical position -- is changed while the drive is spinning. Johnson filed his suit after his console scratched three store-bought game discs, and is seeking $50,000 in punitive damages.

 

 

 

Testimony obtained from a Microsoft program manager indicates that Microsoft became aware of the problem months before the 360's launch when retail demonstration consoles malfunctioned. The company examined three solutions: strengthening the magnets that hold the discs in place, slowing the rotational speed of the discs, and installing rubber bumpers to cushion the discs, but rejected them all. Installing the bumpers could have cost as little as $0.50 per console, the suit claims.

 

 

 

It's not the first time Microsoft has come under fire for alleged foreknowledge of Xbox 360 hardware issues, either. Back in September, an expose penned by VentureBeat writer Dean Takahashi claimed systemic failures in Microsoft's design and quality assurance processes lead to the Xbox 360's now-infamous overheating "Red Ring of Death" failures.

[/hide]

 

 

 

If Microsoft KNEW it was faulty, Why did they release it that way!

[purfishx]

Happened to my friend when he was playing Rise of the Ninja.

 

 

 

XBOX fails imo.

[pryomancer]

Why is he sueing them? That's pathetic.

[LiChef]

I've had my 360 for a while now and nothing bad has happened. Although I have to sit in front of it for a minute or so to make sure I don't get the Red Ring of Death.

 

 

 

Other than that I'm not stupid enough to flip it horizontally/vertically whilst it's running -.-

 

 

 

Li Chef

[Sbrideau]

Why is he sueing them? That's pathetic.

 

I agree. It's the guy's fault for moving the console while it was running. Anyway, I wouldn't have gone over $500 as well, that's enough to pay for a new xbox/games.

[jjrox32]

Wow, you can sue for that? That's amazing, because I scratched 3 discs doing that exact thing. Well, not me personally, let's just say Xbox running a game while in vertical position + little children throwing an exercise ball= bad.

[mervinator_9]

Ive had 2 Xboxs. 1 got the RROD and the 2nd had one red light which means the encoder is nackered apparently.

 

 

 

If Microsoft KNEW it was faulty, Why did they release it that way!

 

Quite simply to beat the PS3 to launch imo,

 

 

 

That way people paid high prices so they could owned a "next generation console" and after the intial boom microsoft could lower their prices to outsell the PS3. Its pretty much worked tbh, at last count I think the Xbox was nearly outselling the PS3 2:1.

 

 

 

The Xbox is flawed in numerous ways but the fact that Few developers will take the risk to make a console exclusive title means the PS3 doesnt get a chance to show off its superior firepower and the base Xbox unit is massively cheaper than the base PS3 means its not really gonna be effected by it.

[Bloodredsword]

I'm kinda double sided about this...I mean, the guy's an idiot for suing, as he should know NOT to move the console while the disc is spinning, but I also hope microsoft loses...because imo, there are to many problems like this with the 360 that they're just to cheap to acknowledge and offer fixes to.

[Mylez]

I never had a problem with my 360 scratching disks, but I've heard that a lot do. Suing is a bit OTT, but some people like to get what they can from any situation. :?

[nickeley102]

only in america

[indy500fan]

I've heard a lot of problems that people are having with the 360, but it's common sense not to move a disc drive while the game is spinning.

[RichieMcD]

Suing them for 50,000 is ridiculous, it's not as if the situation caused physical or psychological harm and the cost of the games would probably amount to 240$ at most.

 

 

 

Reimburse the kid for his games, maybe give him an extra 1 or 2 to look good. Fine Microsoft quite a large amount to put them off cutting corners from now on.

 

 

 

I can imagine Microsoft completely kicking his [wagon] in court with a set of good lawyers, even if they just built their argument on "not moving the console while in motion" they'd probably beat him.

[Dizzle229]

The 360 is currently the BEST system, though PC leaves them all in the dust.

 

 

 

The RRoD happens only on old consoles.

 

The ring around the disc happens when you move it while it's on. MS has posted warnings about this, and if this guy didn't listen, it's his fault. He's pathetic for going through the trouble of a lawsuit.

 

 

 

If Microsoft KNEW it was faulty, Why did they release it that way!

 

 

 

Did you really expect them to not release because of a minor bug that can be fixed anyway?

 

 

 

Oblivion is FULL of glitches, but they released that anyway. Made MILLIONS. Microsoft made BILLIONS and is the only console to have a monopoly for a few years. Releasing it early was a financial miracle.

[Ouchy]

It's his own fault that he scratched the disks, it states that you should never move it while playing :| I hope Microsoft win this, although 50 Grand is just pocket change to them.

[indy500fan]

Suing them for 50,000 is ridiculous, it's not as if the situation caused physical or psychological harm and the cost of the games would probably amount to 240$ at most.

 

 

 

Reimburse the kid for his games, maybe give him an extra 1 or 2 to look good. Fine Microsoft quite a large amount to put them off cutting corners from now on.

 

 

 

I can imagine Microsoft completely kicking his [wagon] in court with a set of good lawyers, even if they just built their argument on "not moving the console while in motion" they'd probably beat him.

 

 

 

Usually you sue for lawyers fees+your time and then psychological harm as you said, but he didn't have any of that. It's still no where near $50,000, but I could see it getting to close to $10,000. If it looks like MS is going to lose they will probably just settle out of court.

[Nadril]

I really should just beat the [cabbage] out of my 360 and get a settlement as well.

[eggzs]

This is why PS3 beats the [cabbage] out of failure ridden [bleep]gy xbox

 

 

 

/bait

[Wongtong]

That's stupid.

[Alg]

They have disclaimers telling you not to move it while the game is playing. They know it scratches disks, and they warn you as to how it happens.

 

I *really* hope Microsoft wins this. They warn you not to even move the system when it's running. It'd be like if the guy touches one of those electrical generators that has the hundreds of "high voltage, do not touch" signs and sues the power companies...

 

But damn they need to fix the legal system...

[henman888]

The 360 is currently the BEST system, though PC leaves them all in the dust.

 

 

 

The RRoD happens only on old consoles.

 

The ring around the disc happens when you move it while it's on. MS has posted warnings about this, and if this guy didn't listen, it's his fault. He's pathetic for going through the trouble of a lawsuit.

 

 

 

If Microsoft KNEW it was faulty, Why did they release it that way!

 

 

 

Did you really expect them to not release because of a minor bug that can be fixed anyway?

 

 

 

Oblivion is FULL of glitches, but they released that anyway. Made MILLIONS. Microsoft made BILLIONS and is the only console to have a monopoly for a few years. Releasing it early was a financial miracle.

 

 

 

So you would need to buy a new 360 if you don't want it to break down?

 

The RROD isn't a minor bug. It is very major, it has cost them over a billion so it would have been better for the company and buyer to just have delayed it.

[Nero]

The 360 is currently the BEST system, though PC leaves them all in the dust.

 

 

 

The RRoD happens only on old consoles.

 

The ring around the disc happens when you move it while it's on. MS has posted warnings about this, and if this guy didn't listen, it's his fault. He's pathetic for going through the trouble of a lawsuit.

 

 

 

If Microsoft KNEW it was faulty, Why did they release it that way!

 

 

 

Did you really expect them to not release because of a minor bug that can be fixed anyway?

 

 

 

Oblivion is FULL of glitches, but they released that anyway. Made MILLIONS. Microsoft made BILLIONS and is the only console to have a monopoly for a few years. Releasing it early was a financial miracle.

 

 

 

So you would need to buy a new 360 if you don't want it to break down?

 

The RROD isn't a minor bug. It is very major, it has cost them over a billion so it would have been better for the company and buyer to just have delayed it.

 

 

 

Not really. It's covered in the warranty so it costs nothing to the consumer to get it fixed other than a month with no xbox, which the majority of the xbox's base doesn't really care about because they're not the "hardcore" gamers. Also, you get a 1 month xbox live trial with your free repair, so really, it's not that major of an issue.

[InkofDeath]

Microsoft isn't going to lose this case, or any other about faulty parts in the darn game box (lol).

 

 

 

Especially when they may not have known that the products they bought and installed in their product could potentially malfunction. :lol:

[Riku3220]

Sweet maybe this and another 'lag after the holidays' will get us a another free game.

[aquariusman]

Microsoft isn't going to lose this case, or any other about faulty parts in the darn game box (lol).

 

 

 

Especially when they may not have known that the products they bought and installed in their product could potentially malfunction. :lol:

 

There is testimony claiming that Microsoft employees were aware of these problems before release. The disc scratching is likely covered by a warning, however I think it is impossible to say that the RROD, which is caused by an internal overheating problem, can be considered a fault made by the consumer. So basically no warning could cover it, since whatever the consumer does, it is very likely to happen.

 

 

 

I'm not too sure about whether they will lose the lawsuit though.

[henman888]

The 360 is currently the BEST system, though PC leaves them all in the dust.

 

 

 

The RRoD happens only on old consoles.

 

The ring around the disc happens when you move it while it's on. MS has posted warnings about this, and if this guy didn't listen, it's his fault. He's pathetic for going through the trouble of a lawsuit.

 

 

 

If Microsoft KNEW it was faulty, Why did they release it that way!

 

 

 

Did you really expect them to not release because of a minor bug that can be fixed anyway?

 

 

 

Oblivion is FULL of glitches, but they released that anyway. Made MILLIONS. Microsoft made BILLIONS and is the only console to have a monopoly for a few years. Releasing it early was a financial miracle.

 

 

 

The probability of it breaking down is too high. I think people do care if they won't be able to play their games for a week or two.

 

 

 

So you would need to buy a new 360 if you don't want it to break down?

 

The RROD isn't a minor bug. It is very major, it has cost them over a billion so it would have been better for the company and buyer to just have delayed it.

 

 

 

Not really. It's covered in the warranty so it costs nothing to the consumer to get it fixed other than a month with no xbox, which the majority of the xbox's base doesn't really care about because they're not the "hardcore" gamers. Also, you get a 1 month xbox live trial with your free repair, so really, it's not that major of an issue.