What is Microsoft hiding about Xbox 360 failure rates?
Despite ongoing reports about the high failure rates of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 next-generation console, Todd Holmdahl, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Gaming and Xbox Products Group maintains that the “vast majority of people are having just a great experience”.
In fact, in recent interview with the Mercury News’ Dean Takahashi, Holmdalm refused to directly answer any question about Xbox 360 failure rates.
When asked about the poor quality of the Xbox 360, and the Xbox 360 user who went through seven defective machines, here’s what Holmdahl had to say:
“We’re very proud of the box. We think the vast majority of people are having just a great experience. You look at the number of games they are buying, the number of accessories they are buying, the Live attach. They love the box. They continue to buy the box. That said, we take any customer issue very seriously. We continue to look into these things very deeply. You have seen we have made some changes to our customer service policy.”
An answer in English, rather than Corporate Speak, would be far more useful.
When asked about the return rate of the Xbox 360, Holmdahl simply repeated that the majority of people were really happy with the Xbox 360.
He refused to comment on whether the return rate was less than 5%, or more than the original Xbox.
When asked about whether the Xbox 360 was less reliable than the Wii or PS3, Holmdahl repeated that the majority of people were really happy with the Xbox 360.
He repeatedly refused to comment on production yield rates.
It would have been very easy for Holmdahl to completely dispell the rumors about the Xbox 360’s high defect rates — instead his performance will only fuel speculation that Microsoft has a problem on its hands.
What I’d like to know is what is Microsoft trying to hide? And wouldn’t it simply be easier if it put its cards on the table, rather than try to deal with the issue using corporate speak?
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7 Responses to “What is Microsoft hiding about Xbox 360 failure rates?”
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June 19th, 2007
[...] is ignoring the fact that their products are breaking. GAMER.BLORGE.com Blog Archive What is Microsoft hiding about Xbox 360 failure rates? [...]
June 19th, 2007
You would think if MS had proof that the failure rates are within the 5% norm than they would provide it, end of story. It’s stupid because the consumers know it, they know it, everyone knows about the high failure rate. But with both MS and Sony coming out with some great games this holiday season Microsft can’t admit to the failure rates or they would probably lose a lot of sales to the PS3 or Wii. I currently just had my 4th 360 break (in a year and a half) and MS tried to make me pay to fix their mistake. I sold it and I am either going to wait until MS fixes the problem or I am considering purchasing a PS3 this holiday season. I constantly ask people while playing online and about 90% of those I have talked to are on their 2nd or 3rd 360. The only people who have said they are on their first system had recently just purchased the system. I have NEVER run into anyone who hasn’t replaced their 360, most I have heard one run for is 13mos, then again I forgot to ask how often they play. It could be they play like an hour a week.
The 360 is easily going to be looked back upon as the most unreliable system ever made! Joining such blunders as the Virtual Boy (discontinued after red lasers were found to hurt peoples vision), 3DO (a quick death after not producing their own system and not having any control over game development and quality), Sega Saturn (the infamous “surprise” launch), Turbo Grafx 16 (worst marketing campaign ever: only advertising the system in Eastern big cities and not the entire US?) Atari Jaguar, and so on.
On the positive side: Microsoft has done a masterful job covering up the failure rates of this guaranteed to break system and have even continued to outsell Nintendo and Sony to maintain the next gen lead! Pretty amazing!
June 20th, 2007
Well, if the failure rate is that high, IANAL, but I would think some lawyer would get in on a class action lawsuit and subpoena that information. Maybe there is nothing illegal about selling defective products, but I would think there is over some % failure rate. Not to say they couldn’t keep false records or something, but one disgruntled employee would ruin that hypothetical negative business practice.
I myself bought 360 about 1 -1.5 years ago, and it has not failed. I am only a casual gamer and keep it well vented though, but I did go through a somewhat heavier gaming cycle with oblivion. Hope mine doesnt die.. I did buy with an AMEX card, which they say they double your warranty on most products, not sure about the 360 though.
June 22nd, 2007
[...] What is Microsoft hiding about Xbox 360 failure rates? [...]
July 1st, 2007
Being a Sony-centric website, you do have to take any news on G.B regarding Wii or 360 with a brick of salt. Still, it aught to be a growing concern of M$ just how badly the 360 defect issue has affected consumer confidence in the Xbox brand and recent sales.
If you want a 360, best to hold out for the die-shrink.
July 1st, 2007
Gamer.blorge really isn’t a Sony-centered website; to be honest, I believe the majority of the staff at blorge own 360’s, myself included. Also, I would like to mention many articles that come through the door are overtly wii-oriented. I really think your opinion that gamer.blorge.com is sony-oriented is off-base.
July 3rd, 2007
I will submit, that Wii doesn’t receive nearly as many negative articles/comments as 360, but the majority of PS3 articles seem very chummy, reading more like verbatim regurgitation of Sony press releases than accurate reporting of the situation.
Mine’s an opinion based on observation of the content of this site.
Anyone is free to do the same, and draw their own conclusions…