Microsoft admits xbox-360 may cause scratches

Microsoft has admitted that the Xbox-360 may leave scratches on game CDs and DVDs. This happened after consumer programme Kassa provided evidence in two episodes. The programme has currently received 1,000 complaints from gamers whose expensive games got scratched in the Xbox. The fact that Microsoft has admitted this is a breakthrough: for months, Xbox users were sent back and told it was their own fault.

Kassa raised the issue of the Xbox for the first time at the end of last February. The Xbox-360 was tested by a company called Hardware.info after the programme received complaints about games getting scratched for no apparent reason. The tests revealed that due to an absence of rubber pads around the lens, the latter touches the CD leaving deep circular scratches and making it unreadable.  Microsoft denied this emphatically and insisted that “…if placed on a stable surface, the Xbox-360 cannot leave scratches on games.”. 

However, a test that VARA’s Kassa broadcasted on Saturday 14 April, revealed that even stably placed Xboxes can cause scratches. This evidence is a major breakthrough, as worldwide complaints about scratched games due to flaws in the Xbox drive have up to now remained unsettled.

In a press release addressed to Kassa Microsoft now admits that “…it is possible that scratches may originate from frequent use.” (*)

It is unclear what consequences this statement will have. There is some information, known to Kassa, that this case concerns a series of between 1 and 2 million Xboxes that were sold worldwide. Microsoft does not intend to issue a worldwide recall, but has promised to help all Dutch Xbox users with this problem.

The complete broadcast of Kassa is shown on YouTube, with English subtitles. Because of the length of the show, it is cut in two parts, as YouTube only accepts videos which are shorter than 10 minutes.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Due to the fact that we did not participate in the experiment done by Kassa and have little insight into the methodology that was used, we cannot comment specifically on the outcome.  While we are aware that discs can potentially be scratched through normal wear and tear, we have not received any widespread reports of the issue highlighted here. That said, it is important to us that all of our customers have the best gaming experiences possible, and these claims are obviously very concerning to us.  We encourage any Xbox customer who believes that their discs have been scratched in the same manner as identified by Kassa, to contact us. We will examine the console and make appropriate repairs if necessary in order to restore the console to full working order, as well as provide customers with information on how to obtain replacement discs should they need them.