Today, Microsoft have announced some great news for Xbox 360 owners experiencing the infamous three flashing red lights error..
REDMOND, Wash. — July 5, 2007 —Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will expand its global Xbox 360™ warranty coverage. Any Xbox 360 customer who experiences a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights will now be covered by a three year warranty from date of purchase. All other existing Xbox 360 warranty policies remain in place.
As a result of what Microsoft views as an unacceptable number of repairs to Xbox 360 consoles, the company conducted extensive investigations into potential sources of general hardware failures. Having identified a number of factors which can cause general hardware failures indicated by three red flashing lights on the console, Microsoft has made improvements to the console and is enhancing its Xbox 360 warranty policy for existing and new customers.
Microsoft stands behind its products and is taking responsibility to repair or replace any Xbox 360 console that experiences the “three flashing red lights” error message within three years from time of purchase free of charge, including shipping costs. Microsoft will take a $1.05 billion to $1.15 billion pre-tax charge to earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 for anticipated costs under its current and enhanced Xbox 360 policies.
“The majority of Xbox 360 owners are having a great experience with their console and have from day one. But, this problem has caused frustration for some of our customers and for that, we sincerely apologize,” said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division. “We value our community tremendously and look at this as an investment in our customer base. We look forward to great things to come.”
For any customer who has previously paid for repair expenses related to the three flashing lights error message on the Xbox 360 console, Microsoft will retroactively reimburse them.
At 2:30 p.m. PDT today, Microsoft will hold a teleconference for financial analysts and investors with Robbie Bach, president of Entertainment and Devices, Chris Liddell, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and Frank Brod, corporate vice president and chief accounting officer to discuss today’s announcement. To participate, U.S. residents can dial +1-888-459-9165, and those outside the United States can dial +1-773-799-3324. The passcode is MSFT. The call will be available for playback beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call through 5 p.m. PDT on Thursday, July 12. To access the playback, U.S. residents can dial +1-866-363-4143, and those outside the United States can dial +1-203-369-0210. An audio webcast of the conference call will also be made available at the Investor Relations site at http://www.microsoft.com/msft.
Xbox 360 customers with questions should visit www.xbox.com.
Michael Giacchino will pen the soundtrack for the latest title in EA's war shooter franchise.
The composer of Lost, Alias, and The Incredibles has been enlisted to provide the music score for Medal of Honor: Airborne.
American Michael Giacchino was also the original composer of the theme music for the Medal of Honor series. His work on the popular TV series Lost earned him an Emmy in 2005 for Best Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore).
Medal of Honor: Airborne is the 12th in the series, which started in 1999 with the Medal of Honor PlayStation title. The latest version focuses on the experience of paratroopers in World War II, who were dropped behind enemy lines to wreak havoc among the German units.
Giacchino commented on his work for the latest Medal of Honor title, "Video games are another vehicle to tell a story, and music plays a vital role in that."
Medal of Honor: Airborne will be released on August 24 in Europe, and August 28 in North America for the Xbox 360 and PC, with a PlayStation 3 version also due to land in November.
2K Games have just released information about an Australian/European exclusive outfit for the Berserker Darkling hidden in the game. It can be unlocked with a phone number that you can call to get the outfit.
The phone number to get the golf gear is: 555 5664.
As we prep for deployment of “Project Sylpheed,” starting July 10 across the nation, we must arm our fighters with the necessary data to engage the enemy.
First and foremost, rookie pilots must learn the fundamental flying techniques that allow for an easy pick up and play experience. As pilots become more versed in the basic maneuvers and want to challenge their navigating skills in “Project Sylpheed,” controls can be adjusted to professional level, which includes yaw, roll and pitch. Before long, yawing, rolling and pitching will become second nature and almost instinctive while in the midst of an intergalactic dogfight.
Pilots interested in taking flight to the next level will also need advanced movement techniques – 180 degree turns and flips, squadron commands, afterburners, power cut, speed match and padlock mode – which will come in handy as they face an overwhelming number of enemy fighters. Afterburners allow for rapid flight, but while they are activated, a pilot’s course is not easily altered and the shield gauge is drained. During the engine power cut, attempts to change course while coasting will change the direction the craft is facing, without changing its flight path. Additionally, the speed match is useful for maneuvering behind an enemy in a dogfight, while the padlock mode helps to keep track of critical targets by keeping them locked in the center of the screen.
“Project Sylpheed” is developed by Game Arts and SETA Corporation exclusively for the Xbox 360 console, and published by Microsoft and Square Enix. The information provided in this briefing can be used for all your upcoming coverage needs.
Dont forget to visit the Project Sylpheed official Web site at www.project-sylpheed.com.
Build, create, and experience the theme park of your dreams in Thrillville: Off the Rails.
LucasArts today announced that Thrillville, the videogame where players create and experience the theme park of their dreams, will open its gates for a whole new season in Thrillville: Off the Rails. Featuring some of the most outlandish roller-coaster concepts ever imagined, as well as new ways to talk to park guests and a wider array of carnival games, this October release amps up the family-friendly mix of gameplay that made the original Thrillville such a hit. Frontier Developments returns to create Off the Rails, which will scream onto the Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, Games for Windows and, with the help of developer DC Studios, Nintendo DS.
Off the Rails lives up to its name with 20 death-defying rides so outrageous, they inspire the same word from every park visitor who sees them: “WHOA!” Players build these incredible “WHOA Coasters” to leap from one track to another, launch through the air like cannonballs, blast through burning rings of fire and more.
A new lighthearted story ties together more than 100 missions, complete with 34 playable multiplayer theme-park games and improved social interaction with park guests. The in-depth conversations both advance the plot and suggest better ways to manage the park. But is every guest to be trusted? One never knows when a rival from the nefarious Globo-Joy might attempt to sabotage Thrillville parks with deceptive information…
“Between its amazing new WHOA Coasters, improved socialization, and a huge selection of minigames, Thrillville: Off the Rails is practically three great games in one, and it offers a fantastic bang for the buck,” said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. “We’re also excited to introduce the franchise to four new platforms so that even more families can enjoy the Thrillville experience together.”
“Together, LucasArts and Frontier challenged ourselves to improve upon everything that made the original Thrillville such a success,” said David Braben, chairman and founder of Frontier. “I believe that we have more than met this challenge, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Thrillville achieves some ‘record attendance’ with Off the Rails.”
For the second year running, fans around the world thirsting for a sneak preview of the Xbox 360™ holiday games and entertainment lineup can get together with friends to experience the E3 Media & Business Summit (E3) — the biggest video game industry event of the year — in high definition from the comfort of their own homes.
From Tuesday, July 10, through Friday, July 13, Microsoft Corp. is bringing E3 home to owners of the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system through its second annual E3: Bringing It Home, which offers downloads on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace of the hottest content from the show.
Connect to the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network and bring everyone together in the living room to enjoy the E3 experience with E3: Bringing It Home.
Xbox 360 owners will be able to download high-definition content direct from the show including the following:
Microsoft’s E3 2007 press conference — beginning at 8:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 10 — will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace in high definition later in the week
Video updates direct from the show
A selection of game trailers, themes, gamer pictures and demos will be available from the hottest E3 titles such as these: