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Microsoft Knew the 360 Was Going to Scratch Disks?

December 17, 2008 in Industry News comments 20

I can't figure out why this guy thinks Microsoft owes him $50,000 for scratching a few games, but still interesting that a court case is forcing them to reveal certain things they may have not wished to.

Documents unsealed in his court case revealed Microsoft discovered its Xbox 360 could scratch discs before it went on sale in 2005, and even got as far as considering three possible solutions to the problem, the Seattle Tech Report revealed today.

The characteristic circular scratches can occur whenever the orientation of the console -- which is designed to be used in either a horizontal or vertical position -- is changed while the drive is spinning. Johnson filed his suit after his console scratched three store-bought game discs, and is seeking $50,000 in punitive damages.

Testimony obtained from a Microsoft program manager indicates that Microsoft became aware of the problem months before the 360's launch when retail demonstration consoles malfunctioned. The company examined three solutions: strengthening the magnets that hold the discs in place, slowing the rotational speed of the discs, and installing rubber bumpers to cushion the discs, but rejected them all. Installing the bumpers could have cost as little as $0.50 per console, the suit claims.

It's not the first time Microsoft has come under fire for alleged foreknowledge of Xbox 360 hardware issues, either. Back in September, an expose penned by VentureBeat writer Dean Takahashi claimed systemic failures in Microsoft's design and quality assurance processes lead to the Xbox 360's now-infamous overheating "Red Ring of Death" failures.
Daisy via videogames.yahoo.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Dec 22, 2008

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  • 0
    Dark Arcanine Dec 17, 08
    That's a bit sad. Sounds like a lazy company, glad I'm not with Xbox scratching my precious discs.
  • 2
    auctoria Dec 17, 08
    I don't know about the Xbox 360 scratching disks even nearly two years after I got it.
  • 0
    joshthegreat Dec 17, 08
    Could I file a law suit for being on my third system? Because they're manufactured as well as a watch made by a mallet-weilding hyperactive four year old with ADHD.
  • 0
    Onvacation Dec 17, 08
    I wasn't aware games were $16.666 each
  • 0
    Final Blade Dec 18, 08
    Old news really. I knew about the 360 scratching disc's for awhile now. I mean since summer 07 news stated it as well. But of course I doubt MS is going to pay it, I mean it does come to common sense to the player to NOT move the console when a DISC is spinning or playing in the drive.
    • 0
      Big A2 Dec 19, 08
      But still, it could be bumped around while playing with wierd controllers and ignorant house guests.
      • 1
        Final Blade Dec 19, 08
        It's still the individual's fault for the disc scratching not MS, and suing them for it is ridiculous.
        • 0
          Big A2 Dec 20, 08
          But they could prevent that from happening for 50 cents, it's no excuse.

          EDIT: Actually Final Blade, I think you might have a point. After all, it's not MS fault that he bought the console in the first place.
        • 1
          Onvacation Dec 20, 08
          Where are you getting the impression the gamer was nudging the console with his foot every 5 minutes? As far as i could tell from this he left his console well alone and they scratched his games regardless~
  • 0
    Livewire_19 Dec 19, 08
    I agree it's common sense to not be flipping a console around while it's running.
    Some people will sue over anything these days. Now if your console catches fire and burns your house down, then you would have a good reason to sue.
  • 0
    Koloth Dec 19, 08
    Common sense yes. But then again it is common sense not to dump a cup of steaming hot coffee in your lap as well.

    Companies like it or not are required to make products that don't cause avoidable damage. By intentionally ignoring a known failure in their product Microsoft simply invited a lawsuit. The reason they don't get sued for the RROD is because they addressed that problem.
    • 0
      Final Blade Dec 19, 08
      Irony strikes when PS2, the most successful console to date also had similar problems with the DRE eh?
      I guess good consoles always have problems.

      Still the discs wouldn't be scratch if people actually took care of your system and game. Oh and using the hot coffee statement is ridiculous. Who's fault is it if you spilled hot coffee on your lap? Are you going to sue the Coffee shop for making it too hot and causing you to spill it? Honestly that's ridiculous Koloth. I mean shit happens, but suing MS for this is just over the top.
      You can't expect perfection in any console, even the PS3 has issues and so does Wii.
      • 0
        RabidChinaGirl Dec 19, 08
        Well, people will sue for anything, I think is his point. The reason disposal coffee cups from shops have warnings on them now is because someone burned themselves in the past and decided to sue (I think it was McDonald's specifically).
        • 0
          Final Blade Dec 19, 08
          And like you stated below, the manual says "DON'T MOVE THE CONSOLE WHEN THE DISC IS INSIDE" Yes?

          Which means it warns you about games before playing it. Which means MS told people about that when you first got your system, which means this whole suing MS for this is ridiculous and pretty much going to back fire. I never said you can't sue anyone for anything, but it actually succeeding and it making sense is different.
        • 1
          RabidChinaGirl Dec 19, 08
          $50k is nothing for Microsoft, but yeah I'm pretty sure I read the warning in my manual (could have been a game manual? Either way there's an official warning on SOMETHING). Anyway, I have no sympathy for this guy. Even if he didn't read the manual, like you said, the PS2 has shown us much of the same thing -- don't move the *bleep*ing console while there's a disc inside.

          Also, he's suing for much more than three games are worth. What, is he claiming emotional distress or something? -_-
        • 0
          Koloth Dec 19, 08
          IF there is a warning somewhere then there is no case and things will come to an end fairly quickly. But Microsoft has to prove there is a warning first. A fairly simple task.

          On the other hand the case isn't so much about money as about proving that Micrsoft knowingly released a sub par product.
  • 2
    RabidChinaGirl Dec 19, 08
    I seem to recall reading in the Xbox 360 manual that moving the console with a disc inside could scratch it.

    The rubber bumper idea would've been kinda nice though.
  • 0
    Dramon Knight Dec 19, 08
    Bleh that doesn't bother me so much, if I disc gets scratched I can get it repaired.

    We can't have it perfect anyways, this guy is being a dramatic douchebag.
    • 0
      Koloth Dec 20, 08
      Prefect? No I suppose you can't have it perfect. But companies should minimize damage when ever possible. Particularly when they are aware of it prior to release.
  • 0
    ShortMan Dec 22, 08
    It is a shame to hear this about the console. I do not own a Xbox console and have no intention on purchasing one.

    I have one thing to say to this guy though, disc repairs. They cost so little.

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