Rumor: MS to make up for Xbox Live outage

by Dustin Burg { Jan 2nd 2008 at 10:00AM }

Unless you've been gaming in Tanzania for the past seven days you'd know that it's trendy to complain about how Xbox Live has under-performed this past week. So trendy that we've heard of people demanding compensation for the week-long service disturbance. And rumor has it that we may just be getting that compensation soon.

According to the folks over at The Bitbag, they were told by their "Microsoft contact" that Microsoft is planning on making right to Xbox Live Gold subscribers (not Silver, they don't pay anyway) who had to put up with an unruly Xbox Live last week. What type of compensation or when it would be coming wasn't detailed, but we have a few ideas of our own. How about a "I Survived the Xbox Live Outage of Holiday 2007" gamer picture download. Or maybe something less creative like free Microsoft points, a free movie rental or Arcade game. Whatever is planned or isn't planned we're crossing our fingers simply for Xbox Live to stay alive. That would be the best compensation of all, a stable service for 2008.

[Via Xbox-Scene]

Tags: microsoft, rumor, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

HazyCloud @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:11AM

Not sure if this has to due with the outage, but I found 3 HD movies on the US Marketplace for 220 MS points a piece. Thought I would share.

The Perfect Storm
Swordfish
Requiem for a Dream

BKB @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:12AM

Hope this is true. I'd be down for MS points. 200 would be great, 100 would be fair. One month of free gold would be great, one week would be fair!

The Oreo @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:14AM

Damn bloody right we should get compensation. This week has been shite, If Microsoft didnt step up to the plate and give us something in return, I'd have forced them to eat their hats or something equally diabolical.

JakubK666 @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:27AM

In UK we didn't have those problems (at least with Marketplace as I haven't played Halo for a few days) but hell, we want compensation too :)

mattclarkie @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:41AM

We did, but not as widespread and severe. I noticed a small bit, but I had 2 friends who couldn't log into Live.

I actually just ordered the Live Vision + 12, as my Live is up in a few weeks, and my headset is about to die, and I am a AP whore and want to get some of those Camera dependent achievements.

Chris @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:57AM

JakubK, don't speak for the whole UK community! I couldn't get online at all on the days I tried around Christmas, and when I could it would sign me out and not find games. I know a few friends who also experienced the same. The UK was the same as everyone who had these problems...

Boff @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:07AM

Absolutely.

Extremely flakey logging in to Live. Couldn't do ANY multiplayer gaming (GHIII, TF, COD4) completley ruined my christmas gaming sessions for the short time I was off work. Not amused.

And it was fucked up yet again last night on COD4 in the UK. (Around 10:30pm 02/01/08)

poprocker @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:29AM

hmm. never noticed any problems. Of course i tend to go outside from time to time.

JW @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:38AM

Then go play in the road.

jaybird1905 @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:04AM

hahhaha.

you just made my day.

Deano @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:33AM

I'd bet heavily that there's been much grief and strife within the Live team while this has been happening but I wonder if the root of these problems is down to how Live is funded?
I imagine MS don't want to provide it at a loss and they might be top-slicing those subs before they form Live's budget. And if you find it tough meeting that budget then resources might be spread out too thinly.

It wouldn't be the first time that the bean-counters screw things up and crazy things have been known to happen within Redmond.

Whingnut @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:36AM

Silver users do pay. If a silver user has a 360 that's been replaced due to RRoD or other reasons, or have upgraded to an Elite model, all of their downloaded content requires verification via the Live service as their console serial numbers have changed. Without the Live service they are now unable to access any of their downloaded content whether it be the XBLA games or expansions for games like Oblivion, GH2 or 3, and Rock Band. I think silver users need to be compensated to some degree as well.

mattclarkie @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:43AM

Doen't just logging in to Live with a silver ID work to verify your account? Surely it doesn't need to be Gold?

xenocidic @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:48AM

If any compensation is forthcoming I would bet it is in the way of added time to your subscription. I doubt they'll pony up for MSP.

Deano @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:52AM

Adding time on will be unlikely; that would set an unwelcome precedent for Live given that there's no service level agreement in place. Also they have factored in when the Live income comes in and delaying that is not attractive.
If they drop 100 points on each user I would say we've been very lucky.

Silverlotus @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:52AM

I suspect those of us who went from Gold to Silver during the outage (on January 1st in my case), won't get any compensation.

It was very frustrating to see the final days of my Gold Membership tick away and not be able to make use of it. And doubly frustrating since my husband and I were both off work and could have made good use of those last few days to rack up a couple more achievements and play with friends. :-/

Mister2zx3 @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:53AM

It's worth the 400 points they may hand out to gold members to get people to stop playing COD4 and possibly give some of those shoddy MS games a second thought.. remember gayblows3 and 4hundredBugs Motorsport 2? MS will stop at nothing to hinder others success when their own lame titles fall short. very short.

Matt @ Jan 2nd 2008 1:02PM

You are so cool, how do I be like you. Gayblow 3 = Genious.

Neon Jebus @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:04AM

While I think adding a month of service would be fair my bigger issue is about DRM.

This outage shows that when the service is down those who purchased XBL Arcade content (and who have either had a system replaced via RRoD or upgrading to an Elite) cannot play games they own.

Holding my paid content hostage is unacceptable.

Mike @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:58PM

That's funny. When my box got replaced, I had the same problem with having to be logged in to access DL'd content, so I called in complained. They told me to simply log in and re-download everything (not pay for it, just download it) and that would fix it. That worked for me, maybe you should try it (once Live is up, of course).

TORO @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:10AM

It sucked when I wanted to play, but it wasn't the end of the world for me. So if no compensation, no biggy ;)

Mister2zx3 @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:12AM

The DRM needs an online service that will move all licenses to a new console serial number. at least allow it once a month. Make it an application that is never saved on the HDD, an encrypted app that is downloaded directly to the 360s memory and runs to update the licenses. Allow it to run no more than once a month. But losing the ability to use what you buy because MS software is horribly unstable is borderline criminal!

zldaphreek @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:30AM

^#&$(&%^!&@(#%&!!!!!!
my gold subscription just ended today too!!! you think i'll still get the compensation?

Boyo @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:50AM

Holiday over millions back to work and not using XBL...are we sure it's fixed or is it that the load just went down?

jack in the xbox @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:27PM

did ya hear about the new sku. It's called the 360-ps3 edition. it works ALL the time. even when xbl is down. It also allows you to put your OWN content on the hdd which you can easily swapp out for a bigger drive. They even show you how to change it out. I'm told that you never have to transfer your account to a new machine because the origininal machine NEVER fails. It even has FREE online and you can actually play your purchased games/movies on it ALL THE TIME. They said that anything you puchase for the console ...you can now ACTUALLY OWN it without having it tied to some "idiot tag". they said it's actually ok to be an "early adapter" again without the fear of being anally raped by a big corporation. it's ok now to allow your stretched out buttholes to close again. GREAT NEWS!!! pass it on!!!!

air carter15 @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:35PM

i would go for a free movie, 100/200 points sounds good too.

DjDATZ @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:51PM

mmmm i want that gamerpic. LOL

Leathersoup @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:54PM

Don't suggest a free game or the cheap bastards'll be giving everyone another free copy of Carcassonne.

Neon Jebus @ Jan 2nd 2008 1:08PM

I hope that comment is because they already gave away Carcassonne and not that you are dissing the game.

I love Carcassonne so don't be hurting my feelers!

iLuvUrOpinion @ Jan 2nd 2008 1:33PM

c'mon, 200 MS points is worthless. most xbla games are 800ms points or more. the original xbox games are 1200ms points. I think MS should offer at the very least 800ms points. That is a fair offer.

Willie @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:05PM

Just like M$ to throw money at their problems.

Rk @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:04PM

In which case I want to be their problem.

PSvsXBOX.com @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:33PM

Microsoft needs to refund me for the money I lost on a Transformers HD movie that downloaded half-way.

Edog Lost @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:04PM

don't we think if they offer us some free swag for the problem it's just going to crash their servers again?

I for one vote for cookies. Cookies for everyone.

Dave @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:34PM

I just got compensated. I called microsoft customer service and told them to cancel my account and give me a refund since i can't log on. (to my suprise, they said yes immediately)!

Sky Shark X2 @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:09PM

Can you say impatianent? Actually if your the type of person who wines that badly and cancels an account over just a week of issues then I'm happy your off the online games.

Dave @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:15PM

Not only can I say impatient, but I can spell it too! As well as use the word "whine" properly and use apostrophes...for instance, knowing the difference between the word "your" and "you're". Regardless, I have one game that I play online (CoD 4). That's why I signed up for XBL. Why would I waste money on something that's not operational? With your "logic", I guarantee you're the one of the reasons I don't use a headset on XBL, so you wouldn't miss me anyways : )

CDN Crockett @ Jan 2nd 2008 6:57PM

I sure hope we get something!

dunnypop @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:15PM

points or a multiplayer live game... cuz seriously... having an outage during holidays is weak!

Ryan @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:51PM

I say they should make everything on XBLM 50% off for one week. It's win-win. They still make money and we get deals!

arkgrail @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:00PM

Complete and utter BS that MicroBill is only compensating! YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY AS IS!!!
We already dump a load of our hard earned ca$h into everything this over priced beast and expected to pay more for pretty much everything that is on the market place; Pay for the over priced games that are released; Pay for all the accessories (usually $99 and up!); Pay for a gold status memebership, granted it's annually; Pay for upgrades, maps, power ups, etc... to games that we already dumped a load of cash into!!!
...AND NOW!!!!!! XBOX LIVE is experiencing outages!!!

Everyday this holiday I have not been able to login to XBL from my 360, and it is for this very reason that I REFUSE! to PAY!! for a Gold membership. If I can't access something that I am paying for, just forget.

MicroBill, you've plateau'd with this XBL, and now its just failing. Get it fixed! or don't expect anymore support or loyalty to what I originally thought was a superior system.

The PS3 is becoming more and more of something that would fit my gaming needs.

ArturoRRG @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:57AM

I was out of town, i didnt realize of the breakdown. So I dont care if there is a compensation or not.

But if there is I want it too!

JakubK666 @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:02AM

I would say something like a free original game or 1200 points.

MS can just make them up since it's virtual currency so instead of giving us a compensation of 200 points which pretty much means "Yeah , now fuck off and die" they could really mean it and be sorry for once.

Ccclub @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:43AM

A stable service isn't compensation, it's what I paid for originally.

RAYJAY SOLDIER @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:00PM

someone earlier said that they sent in a wireless headset and had not gotten it returned yet so im having the same problem but its been less time about a month or so and i was wondering who can we write to or how can we get this problem resolved i am really getting fed up with micrsoft and i just want my wireless mic back now