Microsoft Clarifies Erroneous Press Report About Xbox in Japan
REDMOND, Wash., March 7, 2002 -- An apparent misinterpretation of information on a Microsoft Japan Web site resulted today in a media report of a recall of Microsoft's Xbox™ game console in Japan. This report is incorrect. There is no recall of Xbox in Japan or any other market.
The Xbox Japan Web site did report that Microsoft Customer Care Japan had received a small number of inquires (significantly less than one percent of systems sold) from customers reporting small scratches to the outside edge of some game disks after use in the Xbox game consoles. While this is not a common occurrence, and minor scratching is primarily a cosmetic issue that does not affect performance, a positive customer experience is of the utmost importance to Microsoft. Xbox Japan responded accordingly in its statement offering to evaluate any Xbox system that a customer is concerned about. If a system needs to be repaired or replaced for any reason, Microsoft will do this immediately.
After successful launches in North America and Japan, demand for Xbox continues to be high in all launched markets, and production continues at a rapid pace. Microsoft will launch Xbox in Europe and Australia on March 14, 2002.
Contact: Edelman Public Relations Worldwide Tamara Otto [email protected] 206-268-2241
Microsoft to replace defective Japanese Xbox consoles 09:00 Thursday 7th March 2002 Reuters
The software giant moves to calm users annoyed over scratched DVDs Microsoft stepped up its efforts on Thursday to deal with an increasing number of customer complaints in Japan over scratched discs in its Xbox video game machine, offering to repair or replace any defective products. Microsoft Japan said earlier this week it would replace any consoles determined to be defective. On Thursday it said it would unconditionally replace all hardware and any damaged software because it found some scratches on discs that could not be explained.
"We do not consider this a recall," Microsoft spokeswoman Midori Takahashi said, adding that the scratches found on the edges of the DVD (digital versatile discs) did not interfere with game playing. The software giant launched the Xbox in Japan two weeks ago, hoping to convince Japan's notoriously fickle gaming public and software creators that its machine can rival those of Sony and Nintendo on their home turf.
The scratches, which Microsoft says were most likely caused by DVD discs spinning in the console, improper placement on loading trays or by the sliding tray itself, were also reported in the United States after the Xbox was launched in mid-November. Highlighting the importance of the Japanese market, Microsoft has made special efforts to cater to the market here with a specially designed, smaller controller and a limited edition of 50,000 translucent Xbox consoles available only in Japan. The spokeswoman said Microsoft had not determined the cost of repairing or replacing any consoles or discs. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2106112,00.html