
Posted over on Xbox.com is an open letter written by GM of Xbox Live Marc Whitten about Live's holiday outage and simply put, they are sorry. As we expected, the wonkiness was due to Live being strained to the max this holiday season. So much so, the Live team broke a few records including the most people signing up for Live in a given period and the most people signed onto the service at once. Anyway, Marc and his entire Xbox Live team want to celebrate the success of Live and reward users for their patience and understanding during the holidays by offering a FREE XBLA game download. What free game wasn't announced, but it should be available in the next few weeks, so we'll keep our ears open for more info in the days to come. Now let's just get back to a "normal" Live experience, give us our free Arcade game and we'll be good. Apology accepted.
[Via Major Nelson, Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
1-04-2008 @ 9:53AM
xenocidic said...
Anyone taking bets on what game it will be?
If it's Doritos Dash to Destruction, I'm crying foul.
If it's an older game, what if people already have it?
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 10:21AM
Viridium said...
Yeah, that's my concern. It was nice when the had the free Carcassonne too, but I already owned it! Thanks for nothing, Microsoft.
1-04-2008 @ 1:43PM
Josh said...
If they offer a specific game, and not a game of our choice, it would be completely unacceptable. If someone already has the game, they wouldn't be getting compensated at all.
Keep your eyes on the website Class Action Connect, people. Suits are already being written up over this.
1-04-2008 @ 4:37PM
Frank said...
Class action lawsuits? This case would be a waste of time and money for a law firm.
As someone who worked at one (that dealt with HUGE class actions), let me tell you, no right minded practice would take this case to court. The whole point of a class action case is that the law firm takes the legal and financial burden of running it on behalf of the people.
This case is not going to rake in huge bucks to begin with. It was a week of service disruptions and it intermittently effected people. I was not really one of them... so sweet, we can all sign up and when the case is done we get friggen 1/100000th of a penny on the dollar in about 4 years, that's once the law firm in charge is done taking their cut.
Stop whining about this stuff, be thankful they gave you a game, even if it's Yaris 2.
1-08-2008 @ 10:24AM
shadowr4ven said...
they really should keep track of the sales numbers, and adjust their # of servers accordingly, when a bunch get purchased. just automatically assume every single one will sign on the next day.
1-04-2008 @ 9:53AM
Ethan Rom said...
I just hope it's a good game.
Even though Live is still down for me. I haven't been able to get on for 2 weeks now.
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 9:53AM
Ethan Rom said...
I just hope it's a good game.
Even though Live is still down for me. I haven't been able to get on for 2 weeks now.
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 9:59AM
mgroves said...
Hmm, let me check the teeth of this gift horse...
My guess is that's it's probably Robotron or Pac-Man or something. But hey, a free game and free achievement points: I can't complain.
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 10:10AM
mattclarkie said...
I already have 2 robotron, I don't want or need a 3rd. In fact, if someone wants to buy a robotron code, I have one, but I think I might keep it in case my 360 dies. So actually no you can't have it.
1-04-2008 @ 10:19AM
Larry *not allowed to say cheevo* said...
Not really a gift considering you paid for your service and weren't provided with it.
Like if you buy a burger and it's missing the hamburger patty.You complain and they say next time you come in, we'll give a free coke. Yes it's something, but you paid for a damn burger!
1-04-2008 @ 10:52AM
mgroves said...
Yes, but nowhere in the service agreement does it say you get a free game. You could instead get back the cash value of lost service. 13 cents a day. So yeah, unless you missed 38 days of service (assuming a $5 game), I think it's quite a nice gift.
1-04-2008 @ 10:00AM
pandlcg said...
Please be Puzzle Quest
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 2:56PM
Odog4ever said...
Probably not going to be Puzzle Quest. It is a $15 dollar game after all.
The game is worth the money though. I've put in at least 30+ hours (conservative) not to mention getting my girlfriend hooked.
1-04-2008 @ 10:04AM
Angryfinne said...
A sequel to Yaris?
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1-04-2008 @ 10:06AM
JakubK666 said...
Maybe Street Fighter 4 once it's released...
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1-04-2008 @ 10:08AM
iLuvUrOpinion said...
why don't they just give us ms points so that _we_ can choose _what_ we want _when_ we're ready?
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 10:12AM
Michael Paul said...
If they give us some game that they don't have to pay royalties on, the cost will be lower. So some in-house game that never sold well anyway is the likely candidate...
1-04-2008 @ 11:46AM
scizor34 said...
ditto man. Just give us the points so we can choose for ourselves.
1-04-2008 @ 10:10AM
Larry *not allowed to say cheevo* said...
Hahaha! It will be UNO or Frogger.... MAYBE it will be Space Giraffe!
Reply
1-04-2008 @ 8:32PM
Gemini Ace said...
If it's Space Giraffe, I'm canceling.