The guys over at 360NewsZone have put up 5 reasons why the Xbox 360’s Red Ring of Death (RROD) has actually benefited the console. It’s a funny “glass half full” approach to the issue that Microsoft’s console has been suffering with since launch. To give you an idea, point number one states:
“The RROD brings an exciting edge to every single game you will ever play on your 360. You simply never really know how your games are going to turn out, multiple endings right? “
To view the full article you can click here.
It’s an interesting and humorous outlook on the issue, but it really got me thinking about how much issues like these do actually benefit companies at the end of the day. These say that there is no such thing as bad publicity, if that’s the case, then Microsoft have been receiving a ton of the good stuff. When the console launched and the RROD started becoming a big issue, it must have definitely hurt their sales, but still, the console was getting more publicity than it bargained for. Fast forward a few months to the point where Microsoft had announced that they had sorted out the problems with the newer models as well as lengthening the warranty for RROD’s to 3 years at a cost of a billion US dollars, then what do you get? A lot of great publicity, that’s what.
Due to all the bad publicity, consumers are all aware of the console, the problems that come with it are now gone or at least covered in terms of warranty and Microsoft comes off looking like the people’s heroes for taking such drastic measures to correct their fault. So why not pick one up? Heck, they even just dropped the price.
Now I’m not saying that this is something that has truly benefited Microsoft and I’m sure that if they had to do it all over, that they would do it differently. However, it does make one think that sometimes, in the long run, issues like this may have a positive effect on publicity and sales for companies that can afford to run in to speed bumps of this magnitude, which at the end of the day, is a scary thought.
Let’s hope it doesn’t become a trend in the industry.
Last Updated: April 14, 2008
SlippyMadFrog
April 14, 2008 at 08:48
I think the only realistic point on the article is about the publicity. I still think not all publicity is good publicity, especialy reliability issues concerning your product. If it was controversial news about something else like the personal life of bill gates or something Microsoft did, then I would say any publicity is good publicity, but the RROD is bad publicity since it directly decreases the value of the product in the eyes of the consumer.
Just my 2 cents
Fox1
April 14, 2008 at 09:00
Although MS extended the warranty for the 360 at a cost of a billion dollars, they still managed to turn over a profit on the consoles, cut prices and provide us with the best versions of cross platform games;-)
And another thing… nowdays there seems to be alot of products that break out of warranty and then it can’t be repaired. If other manufactures could follow MS and provide us with extended warranties for free then that would be great!
Tan365
April 14, 2008 at 09:40
what a joke! … doobiwan must surely be the ghost writer behind this gem of an article, he too believes the RRoD is a god send.
Abe
April 14, 2008 at 10:15
Lol, the ultimate in fanboy mentality!
ps Fox1 that billion dollars was actually absorbed into the expense report of the greater MS corp, not the gaming devision! The truth of the matter is MS put out a product with no reliability and even now people are still having problems.
“Oh but we have an extended warranty on our product” – se gat, I dont want to have to get off my couch and trek back to the store to swop it out. As you xbots love to say “I got my console to play games”!
Fox1 "Wearing Fanboy Hat"
April 14, 2008 at 10:25
RROD is not a really major issue. It did not lead to divisions within the company closing down and ground breaking technologies been sold.
RE: Gamer
April 14, 2008 at 10:39
[re=11297]Abe[/re]: Abe,Abe,Abe. Is it a pain? Yes. But in terms of tech, it is the greatest consumer coup in the history of technology. Not only has MS managed to capture a market with sub par hardware reliability, it has for the most part managed to hold onto those consumers who’ve had issues…
As for the consumer, it’s a fine way to take advantage of advances in technology. Which other product allows you to upgrade continually, with no or very little cost?
It’s a sheep in wolfs clothing.
RE: Gamer’s last blog post..Forum Round Up: Week 1
Abe
April 14, 2008 at 11:17
Its a piece of toast in shit clothing!
Fox1
April 14, 2008 at 11:27
[re=11304]Abe[/re]: “I dont want to have to get off my couch and trek back to the store to swop it out”
You getting used watching those 20 minute installs? 😉
SlippyMadFrog
April 14, 2008 at 11:43
Abe, take it easy, its not neccesary to get so hostile. You are taking this Xbox360 vs PS3 thing WAY to seriously.
Don’t be mad because you must re-buy all your controllers because Sony lied to you about the sixaxis. How much cost and effort does that take VS taking your console to the store and swopping it out?
Anywho, its not Friday so I’m going to stop my fanboy banter right there.
RE: Gamer
April 14, 2008 at 11:46
[re=11304]Abe[/re]: No Abe, there is only room for one kitchen appliance likening in this console generation. The PS3 George Foreman takes the honours.
RE: Gamer’s last blog post..Guitar Hero 3 PS3: Local DLC available?
Abe
April 14, 2008 at 13:14
Haha I love you fanboys, I made that comment purely to get a rise out of you guys and it works everytime without fault.
Come on Slippy youve been around long enough to know I dont take any of this seriously 😉
Lol, but seriously anyone that reads this article and goes oooh thats sooo true needs there head examined for a very strong case on xboxdemensia!
SlippyMadFrog
April 14, 2008 at 13:23
“Haha I love you fanboys, I made that comment purely to get a rise out of you guys and it works everytime without fault.”
Abe, you crazy little rascal! I’ll have to keep my eye on you!
Tan365
April 14, 2008 at 13:35
hhmmm … now that i think abt it, The RROD is a real trooper & takes one for the team (criticism) … while it’s friends the disk read errors, the disc destroyers, freezing & hanging etc go rampant haywire.
So yeah it takes the flack off the other hereditary failings with its notoriety & super duper world famous uber awsome god given 3 year warranty.
😉
Fox1
April 14, 2008 at 15:33
[re=11317]Abe[/re]: “Haha I love you fanboys, I made that comment purely to get a rise out of you guys and it works everytime without fault.â€
Hahahaha… It works everytime!
doobiwan
April 14, 2008 at 18:04
Rofl @Tan, even I’m not that much of a fanboy. At least 360 fanboys have a sense of humour.
doobiwan’s last blog post..Evil Genius Conspiracy Theory: Why put a Blu-Ray player in a 360, when you can put a 360 in a Blu-Ray player?