Bonum Certa Men Certa

Microsoft Sued Again for XBox 360 Failures, Slammed for Deception and FUD

"There are people who don't like capitalism, and people who don't like PCs. But there's no-one who likes the PC who doesn't like Microsoft."

--Bill Gates



ANOTHER WEEK, another Microsoft lawsuit.

Microsoft could find themselves in some hot water if a Madison County, Illinois resident has his way. Jason Johnson is suing Microsoft for what he claims is defective hardware in relation to his Xbox 360. Johnson claims that his console has ruined his favorite games and made them 'unplayable' due to optical disc scratching. He claims that his copies of Rock Band, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Rock Band 2 all began displaying the "Disc Read Error" after extensive use.


This begs the question:

Having your games destroyed by your console certainly isn't fun, but is it worth $50,000?


There is more information about it here and this is not the first time that such a thing is happening [2]. The allegation is based on fact [1] and there's much more to the problems [3-6], as we showed a few months ago.

Amid tough times and billions in aggregated losses, Microsoft chooses not to mention its main competitor, which is putting it to shame.

In fact, Nintendo's red-hot Wii system outsold the Xbox by almost 3-to-1 in November.


 

Some wondered why Microsoft left out a comparison to the Nintendo Wii and had doubts about Microsoft’s thoughts that the Wii isn’t really a competitor for the Xbox 360.


Selective statistics. Classic!

Microsoft does what it does best by throwing some FUD at its easier-to-compete-with and easy-to-ridicule rival. It's doing it again. Sony has already responded to Microsoft's latest FUD.

Sony Shoots Back at Microsoft on Home



[...]

Now this may not come as too much of a surprise but Sony doesn't entirely agree with this proposition, in fact it believes that Home is so advanced that, "PlayStation Home just couldn't be done on any other game platform". This, at least it according to Director of PlayStation Home, Jack Buser.


Microsoft unethically crashed launch parties of the Sony PlayStation 3 (among others) and it publicly mocked Nintendo's Wii [7, labeling (libeling) it "a kids toy." If the best revenge is being successful, then Nintendo got its revenge for these distasteful tactics from Microsoft.

____ [1] Microsoft admits scratch problem with Xbox 360

There hasn't been much discussion on the fact that the problem exists by consumers, but untill now Microsoft has always somewhat denied the problem and never proposed a solution.

The Dutch television show Kassa, which deals with customer complaints, has been nagging Microsoft about this problem for several weeks, they did tests with Xbox360 setups and filmed (and proofed) that the Xbox360 is indeed responsible for scratching game discs, when not moved, placed on a stable table and under the best possible conditions.

[...]

The television show also reported that while this issue is now an issue in the Netherlands (it is also widely covered in regular news), it could become a global problem for Microsoft in the future. Therefore I would recommend anyone who is facing the same problem to contact their local Microsoft office and point them to this article.


[2] Gears of War disc errors - why the hell is no one covering this?

So, we're all just 'unlucky' Mark? Thanks for that. I'm happy for you and your console, but what about us? Where are we supposed to turn to for help and support? Microsoft wasn't very helpful (ref #102-379-2964) any of the times I've called them (I think it's up to three now for the same issue - perhaps I'll call again today and check on an update).

All I know is that if I see that dreaded error message again on my new 360 I am going to go absolutely ballistic!!!


[3] Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against MS For Bricked 360s

According to Gamespot, the suit seeks a minimum of $10 million in damages, depending on how MS decides to defend itself.


[4] Numerous Reports, November 30 Xbox 360 Update Is Bricking Consoles

Some consoles are being bricked by Thursday's dashboard update. Issues range from freezing, red ring of death and VGA adapterm alfunction. Microsoft isn't acknowledging the issue and billing $140 for repairs.


[5] Update brick your 360? Speak up

Since yesterday's update, there are numerous reports about 360s being bricked. Some people suspect that this is being done by Microsoft intentionally to stop modders and hackers. Xbox Scene thinks it has more to do with certain combinations of hardware and firmware.


[6] Autoupdate killed my 360!

I was fine yesterday gaming with the VGA cable but after getting the autoupdate today, I get a black screen. Does Microsoft test these things? My connection to the TV didn't change yet its screwed. Thanks for nothing Microsoft.


[7] Microsoft Taking Wii Lightly in Europe?

"...People will make a clear decision as to whether they want that sort of product -- a kids toy -- or they want high-definition gaming and entertainment and all that it brings." [--Microsoft]


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