MI Digital, the much maligned local distributor of Microsoft’s Xbox 360, seems to have shut its doors for good – Leaving the country without a distribution channel for the console, its accessories, and first-party titles; Fan favourite games such as Gears of War, Fable II and Halo 3.
There’s no reason for Xbox owners to panic just yet – It seems Microsoft are aware of the problem and have issued an interim statement declaring that :
“Xbox 360 in SA have confirmed that MiD’s Holding Company went into liquidation this morning. Xbox in SA is currently looking for a transition solution but can assure retailers and consumers that this situation will not interrupt the supply of Xbox 360 consoles and games to the market. As soon as we have confirmed the way forward we will inform the media.â€
Rumours of their financial demise started circulating when their Xbox 360 support was shifted to a company called Powercare. What’s to become of the hapless souls who have 360’s just waiting to die on them?
Attempts to reach them using local Xbox support number have thus far been fruitless, but until we’ve received direct confirmation from Microsoft or a representative of MiDigital, we’re pegging this as rumour.
We’re doing our utmost to contact the relevant parties for confirmation, so watch this space!
Source : doGaming
Last Updated: June 30, 2009
Roland Browning
June 30, 2009 at 18:46
Wow…this news is bigger than Micheal Jackson dying!!
ewie
June 30, 2009 at 19:13
Mi was doing a lot more than just distributing the xbox, weren’t they also developing some games etc ass well, seems like the global slowdown have hit them as well.
ewie
June 30, 2009 at 19:15
This on Waggy blog.
http://xboxza.spaces.live.com/blog/
Yes after being hidden away for some time, I can now reveal that I have moved out of Xbox 360 distribution to focus all my efforts on game development.
It was an honour to be part of the team that launched Xbox 360 in South Africa, but now its time to get back to my roots.
Our first project is being released this year. Unfortunately we have to wait for the publisher to announce it before I can say much more.
All I can say is I-Imagine is back, so keep your ear to the ground and your eyes peeled, as we have great plans for the future.
Speaking of plans for the future: Project Natal
If you haven’t seen the video yet then I suggest you do it now: (click to watch video)
If you don’t have silverlight you will have to install it, otherwise just view it on gametrailers.com
Milo for Project Natal
Once again the future of video gaming is about to change. The applications of this new peripheral are just endless and we plan to support this new peripheral in our next game which begins production later this year.
FlintZA
June 30, 2009 at 19:44
Wow it’s amazing how much speculation gets thrown around as fact:
1. MiD was never doing game development, they bought into I-Imagine which then began work on a new title as part of the larger group.
2. I-Imagine did go ‘fully independent’ again a little over a month ago, separating from MiD, but this had nothing at all to do with what is now going on at MiD’s parent group, MFP. The above post reflects Waggy’s move away from MFP to refocus on development.
3. Similarly, MiD’s internal support department split off to become a separate entity about the same time, again this had nothing to do with what is now happening to MFP.
rogueone
June 30, 2009 at 20:26
They did the JNC products aswell, and as for as that goes….were better off.
Fox1
June 30, 2009 at 22:18
Oh and can MS get us Live while they at it? 🙄
Hooloovoo
June 30, 2009 at 22:46
I’m sure Ster-Kinekor will jump at the chance to distribute (and Overcharge for) xbox hardware and M$ games
Worm
July 1, 2009 at 06:07
Crap…and my xbox RROD’d on me just last week.
Strife Lives
July 1, 2009 at 07:19
Im still waiting for them to pick my RROD 360 . . . .they have my details,they were going to pick it up any day now.now what?
BHW
July 1, 2009 at 07:21
Explains why I’ve been waiting more than a month for my swop out
LazySAGamer
July 1, 2009 at 07:27
Hopefully we get those answers this morning…
Strife Lives
July 1, 2009 at 07:49
. . .MiD always seemed dodgy to me. . .hoping for answers soon
Fox1
July 1, 2009 at 07:52
Well we are being overcharged for the 360 locally. When the Rand hit R13 to the dollar they, put the prices up. When the price of fuel went up they put the prices up. We haven’t had a reduction in price now that the Rand is under R8 to the dollar and fuel prices are much lower ❗ ❗ ❗
Dark
July 1, 2009 at 09:16
I feel for their staff 🙁 Tough Times !
bboy
July 1, 2009 at 10:22
No, that happened normally (I waited 2 months, twice in the past – xbox number 3 running fine)
koldFU5iON
July 1, 2009 at 10:29
Yeah, doesn’t matter what the company is or what they’ve done those people have no more jobs…. I hope they manage to come right
dislekcia
July 1, 2009 at 12:03
No offense Flint, but it’s not like there has been much info about what I-I are doing out there *other* than rumors. Sure, a few people might know what’s really going on, but they can’t be expected to do a company’s PR for them, y’know? 😉
Richard
July 1, 2009 at 13:55
Not too worry, Powercare is a seperate entity altogether, and they are the official repair agents to Xbox, JNC & Kodak equipment. I have just spoken to an employee of Powercare. Tel 011 997 5000
Not only has the Xbox distibutors gone bang, but the entire MFP Holdings, which has 7 subsidaries. They are the exclusive distibutors for all music(EMI etc) to the Mass Stores (Game Macro PnPay etc. They are also the exclusive distibutors of Kodak products in South Africa. So there is alot of trouble ahead.
Richard
July 1, 2009 at 13:58
contact Powercare 0119975000