Rant 3 - Microsoft, WTF mate!?

I'm so glad that I went through the extra effort to support Microsoft on day-one of their 360 launch, bought the premium version of the console, and have now had to repair it twice, paying for shipping once.

My story goes somewhat like this (this is the abridged version):

• On launch day, I buy a premium 360 and am pleased as punch.
• Shortly after Dead Rising is released, but after beating the game, I get the red ring of death.
• It's past the period of time where Microsoft is paying for shipping, so I have to pack my 360 up and send it off via UPS, paying for the shipping of the 8lb brick myself.
• I wait about 4 weeks and get a new (refurbished) 360 back in the mail.
• I fire it up and it's a LOT louder than my first 360, but it plays games just fine, except...
• None of my XBLA games work unless I'm connected to the internet and signed into Xbox Live.
• I call Microsoft and tell them about the XBLA problem and after exchanging phone calls with them for literally 3+ months, I finally get new versions of my XBLA games that work on my new console.
• Meanwhile the replacement they sent me is getting louder and louder when I play disc-based games.
• 3 weeks ago, I call Microsoft and tell them that my console sounds like a helicopter (I had it on and in a perfect moment in life, the customer service rep asked me what the noise in the background was because it was hard to hear me. "That's my console", I replied. "Oh, that's not right", she said.) No, Microsoft. No it's not.
• They send me a box this time, and I pack my 2nd 360 into it and prepare to wait the 4 - 6 weeks (or 6 - 8 depending on which email I believe) until I'm gaming on my premium 360 which I bought on launch day, contributing to all those fantastic sales statistics that Microsoft has been using to add to their marketing might.
• Bioshock comes out tomorrow and I'm still waiting for my replacement.

Now, I appreciate them replacing my 360 each time, and extending the warranty like they've done, but seriously, Microsoft, what THE fuck were you thinking releasing this piece of shit product?

A quick disclaimer: when the 360 is working correctly, it is a fantastic piece of hardware.

The problems it has, though, are so gnarly that I cannot help but feel gypped by Microsoft.

To add insult to injury, they've dropped the price, released the "Elite" version of the console, replaced faulty hardware that was used in the first few runs of the console with actually good hardware, and now added an HDMI port to all standard "premium" versions of the console which cost $30 less than what I paid for my "premium" console on launch day.

Again, Microsoft, WTF mate!?

I have a TV that supports HDMI. I would LOVE to have an HDMI port on the back of my console which is branded exactly the same as the new "premium" version of the console. But I guess my premium isn't as premium as the new premiums. Makes sense, really. Wait. No. Actually it makes no effing sense at all.

I say, if you're going to fuck over your fan-base, do it the way that everyone else does; by releasing good products and revising them over and over and over. That's how you're going to get me to make multiple purchases.

Look at Apple and Nintendo for just two examples. You know how many freaking devices I've purchased that play GBA games!? Let's see:

1. GBA
2. GBA-SP
3. Game Boy Player
   
4. DS
5. Game Boy micro
6. DS lite

You know how they got me to purchase each of those? They did it by making each one a high-quality product, making me WANT to give my money to Nintendo.

The way you're going, Microsoft, you're only making me resentful and angry. And, this just in, angry and resentful consumers find brand-loyalty elsewhere.

-CV