Xbox One Owners With Disc Drive Problems Get a Free Game Download, Says Microsoft
Microsoft announced that gamers who have had problems with their launch Xbox One will be receiving a complimentary game from the company.
"While a replacement console is on its way, we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game," Microsoft said in a statement. "We will provide each of them with a free digital download of one of the launch titles published by Microsoft Studios."
The Xbox users will have the choice of picking from Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome or Zoo Tycoon as their free game. The games are downloadable because some of the problems stem from the disc drive.
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Users of the new console have experienced their disc drive making loud noises or not even reading the disc at all. Microsoft made a statement about the malfunction this weekend.
"The issue is affecting a very small number of Xbox One customers," the company explained. "We're working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange programme."
This is not the first time Microsoft has encountered console problems. Back when the Xbox 360 was released, between 2005-06, there was a much larger wide spread series of faulty consoles that had the "Red Ring of Death." The lights in the front that are normally green would begin twirling red and the console would become unusable.
"Microsoft suffered very significant quality control problems with the early Xbox 360 consoles and has put significant effort into its hardware design and manufacturing process to minimise faults," Spencer Izard, an analyst with IDC, told BBC. "For launches over multiple countries the volume of manufacturing required by both Microsoft and Sony will always unfortunately yield a minor amount of hardware failures, in one form or another, and we are seeing this with this launch cycle."
Microsoft announced that the Xbox One sold over one million consoles globally in its first 24 hours following its launch, matching the PlayStation 4's first day totals.
"We are humbled and grateful for the excitement of Xbox fans around the world," said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of marketing and strategy at Xbox. "Seeing thousands of excited fans lined up to get their Xbox One and their love for gaming was truly a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team. We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season."
