Here’s something that doesn’t happen very often. Microsoft has quickly and painlessly acknowledged that they should have included a key piece of information in the description for hugely successful Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition and are now offering refunds to all those adversely affected by it.
The description didn’t make it clear that the split screen multiplayer mode didn’t work on a standard definition television. Everything else works fine but for those that wanted to play split screen and don’t have their 360 plugged into a modern TV, this was a big problem.
Call me an old cynic but I would have expected weeks of drawn out moaning from users on forums before a large platform holder even acknowledged a problem so this is quite refreshing to see.
If you bought the software before the description was updated to include a disclaimer about the non-functioning element then you’re entitled to a refund through Xbox Customer Support.
Source: Kotaku
cc_star
I suppose you still keep the game too?
colossalblue
Good point, could they prevent access once it’s downloaded? I guess they could possibly remotely cut off your gamer tag from using it?
LTG Davey
I suppose they sold enough copies to justify refunding the 3 people who still use Standard-def TVs :D (myself included before anyone gets defensive lol)
halbpro
Alright so it’s me and you, we need to find the third.
eye8have9you3
Yay! thought I was the only one! Being a lazy student, having an old hand-me-down telly is the only way I can play at uni. It does have the benefit of letting me play burnout 3 and ‘splitters 2 without being disgusted at how pixelated it is
LTG Davey
Lol. To be fair I also have a nice, shiny 42″ Plasma TV, though that is usually being used by the Mrs to watch soaps and all that other rubbish :P
I have to agree though, older games do seem to look better on standard TVs, splitters2 in particular
SH Number 7/Mini-Lipscombe
and Kris :p
TSBonyman
And suddenly the number of sdtv users is reveaed to be much much larger than presumed.. ;)
TSBonyman
*revealed
shields_t
I would imagine they would have done metrics on how many 360 users have their prefs set to HD otherwise like you said they could bring on a world of pain.
Youles
Could this swift action been a result of the developer and their request for refunds to be be given, so not to be seen in a bad light? Hopefully I’m not being too cynical and Microsoft have actually acted appropriately and promptly.
Jakster123x
I’m impressed
Nickboss1
I thought that read Microsoft Offering Mincraft Refunds For STD Users.
Sympo
Who has these SDTVs anyway, *leaves thread before causing a storm*
colmshan1990
How do Microsoft know if you have a SDTV or HDTV?
Just how much info do consoles send back to Microsoft/Sony?
cc_star
From the time of the PS3 hacks I know the PS3 phoned home with the IDs & details of everything plugged into its USB when it next went online, not sure about other ports ability to transmit info, HDMI might, but SDTV connections prob won’t although it might phone home with info about system config (a/v outputs etc)
hazelam
considering there was no warning given that split screen multiplayer would not work without an hdtv, i’d say legally the people who want refunds over this issue, and who bought it before the warning was added, should be entitled to one.
no doubt ms are going to say they’re doing it because they love their fans when they’re doing it because they know they have to.
still, it makes a change, a big company not being a dick over refunds.
scee could do well to learn a bloody lesson from this.
hazelam
of course it remains to be seen how long it takes people to get the refunds and if ms make excuses when people try to claim their refunds to avoid giving them to people.
Crocadillian
Corporate Social Responsibility? What is this?!