You may recall the coverage we had on the site regarding Nathaniel, a guy who had to send his autographed, artwork covered, Halo themed Xbox 360 into Microsoft, and who had it returned to him with only smudges remaining of the original ink. First Nathaniel got some love from Bungie, but now it seems that word has reached other parts of the tubes and Microsoft (finally) got wind of it. In their attempts to make it up to him, they sent a who box of goodies including a 360 console (signed by original Rooster Teeth signers, new artwork by Luke McKay, signatures from the Xbox 360 team, and additional signatures from Bungie Staff), a faceplate with Bill Gates' signature (among others), all bunch of games, some smaller swag, and, wait for it ... a signed picture of Bill Gates.
Disregarding that last thing, that is a great package of loot to get from a major company. The original article lists some more of the details and history of the incident, and carries Nathaniel's response, which we've reprinted here.
"While my story has come to what I am sure the average reader will conclude is a satisfactory close, I do not personally view this as its ultimate end. Don't get me wrong: My overall mood about the packages I have received from Bungie and Microsoft is nothing short of ecstatic, but compensation was never my focus. The only thing I have specifically asked of Microsoft and the Xbox 360 team for is this particular case to be examined so that some change(s), whether small or broad, can be made to the service process to prevent the occurrence of any similar scenario. This remains my only request. I'm not asking for details, but if my story is leading to changes that should benefit current and future Xbox 360 owners, I would really like to know."
The rest of Nathaniel's statement can be found after the break.
"I do not think the people at Microsoft that have been working diligently on the XBox 360 project over the last several years are fools. There have been many lessons to be learned for all that have worked on the project at all levels, from the inception of the console until now. I am confident that this story–and the subsequent response that it has received from the gaming community as a whole–will reinforce the importance of keeping customer service and repair divisions well organized and in top form.
To those who have worked to put this package together for me, you have my gratitude. Thank you all for putting forth the time and effort to do this for me; this is indeed far "more awesome" than what I had before.
This story has shown itself to be a great lesson in the power of the Internet. It is with this observation that I must say to the gaming community at large, those who've shown their support and saved me much of the effort of spreading my story myself, you also have my gratitude. Without the actions of a great number of individuals who will forever remain unknown to me, my "cautionary tale" would not have reached nearly as many people. Thank you."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-21-2008 @ 4:51PM
DaveC said...
Okay kudos to them, but I bet if someone else has a similar situation, the media and Microsoft will shrug it off.
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3-21-2008 @ 4:54PM
cranium said...
how big is the picture of Bill Gates? is he smiling? what color is his sweater?
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3-21-2008 @ 4:55PM
SToNeP2277 said...
maybe Microsoft should send me a care package for all the red lights of death i had in two years as a 360 owner.
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3-21-2008 @ 4:58PM
AoE said...
Wow, that's super awesome! I would put the picture of bill gates up for sure, that's hilarious and cool all at once.
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3-21-2008 @ 4:59PM
LesbianHam said...
Ungrateful cunt.
"Fix" the repair process, and send that swag my way :D
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3-21-2008 @ 5:02PM
Terrence Stasse said...
I would have included the Bill Gates picture if it had been posted with the original article.
It would indeed have been funny.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:03PM
nerrrrrrd said...
Looks like Cortana is an apathedic 12 year old boy. Either way, cool story.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:07PM
warholism said...
what an asshat. that guy doesn't deserve any of that stuff they sent him.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:11PM
Roto13 said...
Good on him for not bouncing back with "OMG XBOX MICROSOFT IS THE BESTEST COMPANY EVAR!!!!" The customer support division of Xbox is run by hateful little monsters who do as little as they can get away with to actually help customers. Sending one guy an Xbox as a PR stunt isn't going to change that.
*waits to get thumbed down to hell*
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3-21-2008 @ 5:11PM
ZEBRA NINER said...
Hmmm... the signed pic of Bill Gates is kind of... yeah. However, all the signatures (including B. Gates) on the console is pretty cool. Now, if it was the norm for MS to go the extra mile that would be great.
Regardless of how the rest of us are treated, I think it's pretty awesome that they stepped up and made it up to this guy. I mean, they REALLY made it up to him.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:12PM
VOS said...
Why does Bill Gates sig look like a six year old did it? Does it normally look that crappy or did someone at MS thought it would be funny to sign his name?
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3-21-2008 @ 5:26PM
arjun said...
wow that was really generous of MS to do and i hope that MS support would take much more care if anything like that happened to anyone with such a priceless 360. It was very generous of them to give him so much stuff but it just shows you that not everyone at MS is that bad. It seems that from that long letter that the guy who cleaned all of that off was just being a n0b. Its great that MS actually did something about that.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:26PM
mernmern said...
No bitterness on my end. Nice move by MS and while the RROD is abhorrent, I will be getting mine back on the 26th, a mere 2 weeks from the date I sent it to them. I did not have to pay for anything and I managed to avoid customer service by submitting my request online. I have to tip my hat to MS over the fact that they are handling their problem rather efficiently and effectively.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:30PM
AnOffday said...
Holy crap. Enough is enough. Has Bill himself handed over the keys to his mansion yet?
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3-21-2008 @ 5:33PM
todd said...
Geeze guys making out pretty damn well.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:36PM
BKB said...
jackass kid, who else has ratty signatures all over their 360... this isn't a widespread "problem". he should paint over them with some weatherproofing stuff or something, not complain to microsoft. straight ungrateful in my opinion!
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3-21-2008 @ 5:36PM
Timur Tabi said...
I'm inclined to say that the signed picture of Bill Gates is the best part! Sure, at first it sound stupid, but I think it's kinda charming. I'd proudly display it on top of my Xbox.
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3-21-2008 @ 5:49PM
dylan said...
@ Roto 13 I gave you a thumb down even though I agree with your statement, because I didn't want you to be waiting too long...
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3-21-2008 @ 6:31PM
Josh said...
lol.. DUDE i want a signed picture of bill gates!
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3-21-2008 @ 6:34PM
Eric said...
can you guys just imagine how sweet that would be if it was an elite with a white sharpie or silver sharpie!
thats sweet, now he has to care packages!
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