There has been a gradually escalating crisis facing Microsoft’s Japanese Xbox division that we have followed closely since the machine launched in the territory almost two weeks ago.
The retail sector reported a serious amount of returns of both consoles and game discs, due to them being scratched by Xbox hardware units. Initially, Microsoft stated that there was no problem, but said that if any customers wanted to, they could check their machines into customer services for investigation. It even issued the following rather bullish statement:
““Concerning the affects on DVD disks when running on the Xbox, minor scratches may sometimes occur on the outside of DVD/CDs after running in the Xbox. This is a natural phenomenon, which happens with friction, and there has been no past report that they have effected normal gameplay, DVD playback or CD music playback.
Regardless of this matter, please contact Xbox customer support if there is a problem in gameplay or playback by any chance. If the disk becomes unplayable from normal use, Microsoft will repair or replace the console, as written in the warranty agreements in the instruction manual.”
Apparently the official line has now changed. Microsoft has announced a blanket statement saying that it will replace any damaged stock that consumers report. "We do not consider this a recall," Microsoft spokeswoman Midori Takahashi said, “The scratches found on the edges of the DVD did not interfere with game playing.”
This rethink will no doubt do Microsoft’s image in Japan the world of good. It obviously realised that the Japanese market is not one that is willing to put up with any kind of fault, however minor.
The retail sector reported a serious amount of returns of both consoles and game discs, due to them being scratched by Xbox hardware units. Initially, Microsoft stated that there was no problem, but said that if any customers wanted to, they could check their machines into customer services for investigation. It even issued the following rather bullish statement:
““Concerning the affects on DVD disks when running on the Xbox, minor scratches may sometimes occur on the outside of DVD/CDs after running in the Xbox. This is a natural phenomenon, which happens with friction, and there has been no past report that they have effected normal gameplay, DVD playback or CD music playback.
Regardless of this matter, please contact Xbox customer support if there is a problem in gameplay or playback by any chance. If the disk becomes unplayable from normal use, Microsoft will repair or replace the console, as written in the warranty agreements in the instruction manual.”
Apparently the official line has now changed. Microsoft has announced a blanket statement saying that it will replace any damaged stock that consumers report. "We do not consider this a recall," Microsoft spokeswoman Midori Takahashi said, “The scratches found on the edges of the DVD did not interfere with game playing.”
This rethink will no doubt do Microsoft’s image in Japan the world of good. It obviously realised that the Japanese market is not one that is willing to put up with any kind of fault, however minor.
Companies:
Microsoft
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