Back over a year ago when Xbox 360 was launched complaints came in from some console owners about scratches to their game discs. Though Microsoft did offer to fix some machines and perhaps even replace some of the affected discs they also explained that the reason such scratches were occurring was related directly to the titling of the console during gameplay, something that was discouraged in the manual.

The reaction is somewhat confusing as one on hand they agreed to fix affected consoles but on the other they denied liability by citing “improper use” as reasons for denying some requests for replacements. Later it was discovered that a padding of the disc could prevent the scratching and several companies cashed in on this.

Recently Dutch TV show Kassa mentioned a boy who had been whose console possibly scratched his game discs, rending them unusable. Microsoft denied a request for replacements as they cited the same “improper use” as did with some other complaints when the problem first arose. When Kassa’s report appeared on Youtube it caught the attention of Meglena Kuneva, Europe's Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, who sent a message to Microsoft to inquire as to what they have done to rectify the situation and how widespread was the issue.

Communication between Kuneva and Microsoft has been confirmed but Microsoft’s ultimate stance on the issue is still unclear. As stated by Microsoft, “will replace only selected titles and has no obligation to replace all titles or any particular title…” Is movement to the console during gameplay “misuse” or is this a flaw of the console’s design? If a flaw, why then only replace some of the titles and not all affected? If not a flaw why replace any?

To replace or not to replace is the question...

Tags : Consumer Affairs : Gaming Consoles : microsoft : Xbox : Xbox 360

Comments

By: ApplesauceNinja On: 12:08 Jun 13th, 2007 Offline	I've not heard of the 360 leaving scratches on the disks. What I have heard is that if you move the console while it's playing a disc, the laser can burn a nasty groove in it, rendering it permanently unplayable. Also, I heard that overall, the 360 has a one in four failure rate. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that I never seen the red ring of death from mine.