Microsoft does not deny that Xbox 360's failure rate is 54 percent

So, Microsoft has responded to a recent survey that found that the failure rate for its Xbox 360 video game console is an astonishing 54.2 percent ... by not denying that it's a face. Here's the response:

"Microsoft stands behind the Xbox 360 as a superior entertainment console with one of the best warranties in the industry. We are constantly improving the design, manufacture and performance of the console through extensive testing of potential sources of any problems. Xbox 360 is pleased to maintain the title of 'most played console' and the vast majority of Xbox 360 customers have enjoyed a terrific gaming and entertainment experience since their first day, and continue to, day in and day out."

Um. Wow. So... It has a great warranty (which its unreliability makes a requirement). And they're making it more reliable over time. There you go, folks.

Discuss this Article 17

puzder
on Aug 23, 2009
Count myself as one of the lucky 46% ... who has "enjoyed a terrific gaming and entertainment experience since their first day, and continue to, day in and day out"
wjglenn141
on Aug 23, 2009
It's odd. I'm not denying the failure rate, but we have three 360's in the house. One original from around Christmas of 2005, one from 2007, and one from last year. So far, not a hiccup. We don't exactly baby the things either. Hopefully, I'll stay that lucky.
rr0de74@live.com
on Aug 23, 2009
If you cant fix it........feature it:)
Grannyville
on Aug 23, 2009
LOLs @ rr0de74 :)
beaker
on Aug 23, 2009
it has happened to my two Xbox 360s twice (RRD)....
doon120
on Aug 23, 2009
three times and counting. of course, there's not a lot to add to that gozillion dollar loss they had to book because of the failure rate. Isn't this old news?
gavers
on Aug 23, 2009
I'm with puzder. I got my 360 a few months after the initial release and have not had a single problem. also s/face/fact/
techboy2000
on Aug 23, 2009
I am thinking about buying a 360 for Xmas 2009. Can I assume the new model won't have the red ring problem or are they still crash machines?
robertsjoe
on Aug 23, 2009
You'd want to have a good warranty policy when you're releasing such crap hardware. Now, if Microsoft had to stand by some sort of quality guarantee with their software, there's be no Windows, Office or anything else from them today. They would have gone out of business years ago. I guess being evil pays.
rjohn05
on Aug 23, 2009
Do you seriously expect them to admit it? Wouldn't that get them into all kinds of legal trouble if they did? I'm not saying that it not the right thing to do, but looking at it from their perspective I am not sure we should expect them to admit something like this.
rr0de74@live.com
on Aug 23, 2009
@techboy2000 it should be better if you get the jasper version. .65nm CPU/GPU. By now all new 360's should be a jasper. The jasper is the 3rd rev, and so far I dont think anyone has had a RROD with a jasper. They thought they fixed the problem with the 2nd rev, falcon, but it still had the problem. http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3472&p=2 At this point the only way I would suggest a 360 is if you are a hard core ONLINE gamer or you love Halo. If your not into Halo and play single player and some modest online MP, then the PS3 at the new low price is the way to go. The PS3 slim is a .45nm CPU/GPU now.
subzerohitman721
on Aug 23, 2009
Count me as another original Xbox 360 owner whose system is still alive and kicking. I'll probably trade up to a new Jasper version just because its much quieter than my version. Also, the games on the 360 always end up rated best on the 360. Since I don't own a single Blu-Ray disk nor does the PS3 have any real titles that I'm personally interested in, I think I'll be sticking with Xbox 360. Mass Effect, Halo 3, and my old Xbox library. Things that cannot be done on a PS3.
panache1023
on Aug 23, 2009
Subzero, Want to play a great exclusive PS3 game? Well...I don't know YET if it's great because it hasn't been released yet. But, each game in the series has been amazing. God of War.
rr0de74@live.com
on Aug 23, 2009
Great PS3 exclusives.... Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted and Uncharted 2 in a few weeks, Little Big Planet (won all kind of awards) KillZone 2, Rachet and Clank. I would bet Mag and God of War 3 will be amazing. Good PS3 exclusives.. Resistance 1 and 2, Warhawk, Socomm3, motostorm 1 and 2. I would look at those review sites that favor the 360 to see whom is buying ads. The first round of PS3 games were just 360 ports (non-exclusive games), which did utilize the PS3. Those days are over now. Madden 2010 is tweaked for the PS3, or so says the developers.
Rasken
on Aug 23, 2009
Paul has officially entered the world of gaming blogs. A PS3 fanboy has posted a list of PS3 games! I'm so proud for you.... That was one of the worse rebuttals I've seen for negative news ever. The reply lacks any type of teeth. Almost like MS has given up on trying to counter any news on the RROD and will just offer this boiler-plate reply from now on. Who knows.. Maybe people will stop poking at the hornet's nest if they stop getting interesting replies.
Waethorn
on Aug 24, 2009
Just out of curiosity, has anyone confirmed that this is an issue with the GPU, or the CPU? If it's the GPU, it's not much better than NVIDIA, with their shoddy mobile chips getting recalled. ATI hasn't exactly been known for being energy-efficient either though.
meason
on Aug 24, 2009
I still stick with my suggestion that along with the years of xbox live on you gamer card (is that what that thing is called), they should include a circle with 3 red quadrants with the number of broken systems you have had..... off to mail Major Nelson..... wonder if I will get a reply

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