We enter 2008 with the current lifetime Xbox 360 failure rate at Joystiq standing at almost 100% -- we currently have one last man's console standing. Yup, that's right, and for those of you paying attention we hit 90% last month. A few of us experienced issues back in 2006, but almost every person on staff (including those who've left for other opportunities) -- with the exception of The One -- have experienced a Red Ring of Death, disc drive failure, or other non-user-error console bricking incident. There's no denying at this point that as much as we love the games, the Xbox 360 is the most defective console ever manufactured.

Check after the break for the staff's experiences with their bricked consoles. Like former Microsoft executive Peter Moore explained earlier this year, when failure is practically guaranteed at some point, all we can do is focus on the repair service.

It seems like having thorough, consumer-focused customer support is a huge deal in this iteration of the console war, which is why we were surprised to hear the woes of Ive, a Sony fanboy and owner of a broken PS3. According to Ive's story, he sent in his faulty system to be repaired, only to be told that his warranty had been voided by the massive amounts of dust that had accumulated within the casing.

Here's our favorite part of the story: When asked what part of the warranty says that a dusty system cannot be replaced, his helpful customer service representative told him that dust collection could either be considered customer abuse, or an act of God. We'd like to think that if the Lord did destroy Ive's PS3, he would do so with a plague of locusts, or perhaps a well-placed bolt of lightning. Dust collection just lacks that celestial panache, you know?

Update: The Consumerist has more on this, an apparent confusion within the realms of customer support. Dust obviously doesn't void your warranty, but it seems it was cited as evidence of neglect in this case (and forms of neglect do void the system's warranty).

[Thanks, SickNic]

Last month it was discovered that Robbie Bach, the head of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Unit (which includes Xbox), sold $6.2 million in company stock in the months leading up to the warranty extension announcement -- turns out, it was even more than originally reported. Bach actually sold another $3 million more in stock, which weren't filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Microsoft says that the extra few million weren't filed "as the result of an administrative error."

Microsoft is still sticking by their story that the stock sales by Bach were purely coincidental in regards to the warranty announcement. Given that the stock price barely took a hit, one could see that as possible. Then again, Martha Stewart went to jail for issues surrounding insider dealing, even though the stock she sold eventually rebounded. Who knows what the truth is, all we want to know is what did Bach spend the $10 million on -- a PS3 or two?

[Via GamePolitics]

MarketWatch is reporting that Robbie Bach, head of Microsoft's entertainment and devices unit (which includes the Xbox 360), sold $6.2 million in company stock between May 2 and last week's announcement that the company would extend the warranty on the system for certain failures to three years. Bach's sales came after eight months of selling no company stock.

Bach himself did not comment on the story, but a Microsoft spokesperson insisted that the stock sale and the warranty were completely unrelated, saying "[He] continues to hold a significant stake in Microsoft and remains confident in the long-term success of the company." In the two months before the announcement, two Microsoft employees sold more stock than Bach: General counsel Brad Smith, who said he used the money he made to purchase more Microsoft stock, and Bill Gates.

One analyst, who said that bad timing for insider trading is often by chance, said he believed that Bach should be given the benefit of the doubt in this case, especially considering that the announcement barely moved Microsoft stock. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

After reading about Microsoft's admirable decision to extend their warranty coverage for those suffering from the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death error, we were given an opportunity to speak with Peter Moore about the move.
When asked why this move -- a sort of mea culpa of a growing failure rate -- has taken so long, Moore replied that it was important to "gather data and weigh the financial implications" in addition to "preparing logistics and identifying problems." While it may have seemed like a long time for those of us in the grips of the hyperkinetic blogosphere, Moore assures us that, for a multi-billion dollar mega-corporation like Microsoft, they acted with some celerity.

So, they've identified problems? What exactly has been killing these Xbox 360s? Moore said there were "a number of issues" that they discovered from collecting data. When reminded of the great job they've done in servicing 360s to date still hasn't stopped some people from having to get their console serviced numerous time, Moore said that they've put "fixes in place" to address them. He pointed out that Joystiq was a great conduit to that very community and extended (what sounded to us like) a sincere apology. They're fixing these systems because the level has been unacceptable of late ... and no, Microsoft has "no intention" and sees "no value" in sharing what percentage of failure there is.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, Microsoft stands up and takes some responsibility for what appears to be an epidemic amongst Xbox 360 owners: the dreaded Red Ring of Death! Announced today in both press release and open letter formats, Microsoft has pledged to extend the warranties to three years from date of purchase for those who suffer from RROD, and will reimburse those who already paid to have it fixed. Seeing as how the 360 hasn't even been out for two years, that means everyone is covered. This is after they already extended the warranty from a puny 90 days to the more reasonable one year warranty that consoles are still covered under, unless they specifically suffer from the Red Ring of Death (marked by three blinking red lights).

Xbox exec Peter Moore also published an open letter to the "Xbox Community" addressing hardware failure and promising "policy changes intended to keep you in the game, worry-free." Whether or not these policy changes include actually fixing the underlying hardware issue or just improving the support after the fact is unclear, but Moore finishes saying, "If we have let any of you down in the experience you have had with your Xbox 360, we sincerely apologize. We are taking responsibility and are making these changes to ensure that every Xbox 360 owner continues to have a great experience." Classy show, Microsoft. Real classy. Let's hope this move is coupled with hardware revisions to keep your customers -- and shareholders -- happy.

Read – Microsoft Expands Xbox 360 Warranty Coverage (press release)
Read – Open Letter From Peter Moore (Xbox.com)
Read – Expanded Xbox 360 Warranty Coverage FAQ

Let's say you're one of those who ended up with a bum 360 Guitar Hero II controller. Sure, you could return it like Red Octane suggested, but what's rock 'n' roll about letting the man care for you? Nothing, that's what. Luckily for those who rock on their own schedule, All About the Games has posted a purported fix that requires little more than opening your axe and loosening two uptight screws.

The site does state that the fix won't void your warranty, though we'll offer a reminder that you shouldn't operate on the guitar while it's plugged in. But come on, you rebels, isn't that exactly the sort of thing the man would want you to worry about? Are you going to wait for the man to pat your head and give you a lollipop or are you going to pull a Brian May and tear the fireplace out of the wall and get rocking?

[Thanks, Brigham]

[Update: Ruh roh. Looks like someone didn't pay their hosting fees! All About the Games is currently down and their repair guide along with 'em. We'll update as soon as it seems like things are back to normal. Update 2: And we're back!]

Next Generation tells us about Microsoft's new-and-improved Xbox 360 warranty support, including faster service and something the company calls "cost-free shipping." (As opposed to fat-free, perhaps?)

Microsoft is also offering to replace any first-party 360 game discs that are damaged -- even if it's your fault. The catch? You gotta send in your broken disc ... along with a cool $20. So why does Microsoft label this a "limited time offer?" You'd think they'd be psyched to reap another $20 for the same software you already spent $60 on and weren't allowed to back up. (Thanks so much, DMCA!)

Flickr account holder 'g3n3101' has posted a mighty collection of Xbox 360 case mods, highlighted by this WWII-themed diorama assembled atop a Call of Duty 2-plated console. Microsoft has long touted 360 as a customizable unit, and fans have taken that theme and run wild. Think that extended warranty is still valid? Think again.

[Via Gaming Bits]

Microsoft is extending the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty in North America from a puny (and competitively unimpressive) 90-days to the more reasonable (and competitive) one year. What spurred this holiday generosity? Perhaps it was Sony and Nintendo's one year warranties (don't forget to register to get a free 90-day bonus from Ninty)? Or perhaps old man Gates was visited by three ghosts in the night?

Regardless, they're making right by their customers who've already had their console repaired by making the offer retroactive. That's right 'stiqers! If you've forked over $140 to Microsoft to fix your 91-day-old 360 you're entitled to a refund. The best part, you don't have to request a rebate, Microsoft will mail a check out (presumably to the address they mailed your 360 to) in about 10 weeks. Anyone (besides Alexander) expecting a $140 Christmas present from Uncle Bill?

Read -- Microsoft Extends Xbox 360 Warranty to One Year press release
Scrutinize -- The NEW Xbox 360 product warranty

Kris Wagner posts an amusing Wired News column asking if technology companies design a life-span into products, forcing customers into a money-spending cycle. While the conspiracy has existed as long as our technology has failed, it's hard to make the next jump to nefarious, Tomorrow Never Dies-style meetings where company leaders maniacally ask for bugs to be added into products.

Our informal poll around the Joystiq offices suggests that most of our game hardware has never broken. But a few of us are cursed with failure mojo, with one writer having had problems with an Xbox 360, PS2, SNES, and GameBoy. Is game hardware built better than iPods, or do we just pamper it more? (We've never taken an Xbox jogging.)

It's no secret that the Xbox 360 is one loud machine. On a decibel scale, ours ranks right below a plane tanking off, and just above a jackhammer. The culprit is the DVD drive inside the machine. If you fire up the Dashboard without a disc inside and visit the Marketplace, download things, play Xbox Live Arcade games, and stare at your theme packs, then you'll notice how quiet the thing is. The Night before Christmas made more noise. The fans ain't that loud, folks. However, slip a disc inside, and it's like a team of hamsters decided to go on a stampede.

ExtremeTech has posted a DIY guide to keeping it quiet. It doesn't require hauling out the soldering iron, but you have to get into the guts of your console, and yes -- violate your warranty. Although we'd gladly trade our nearly one-year old warranty at this point for a quieter gaming experience.

That grinding ka-chunka chunk of the optical drive makes us nuts at times, especially when the other Joystiqers are sleeping (which hardly ever happens anyhow), and we have to crank the sound down. For those of you brave enough to give this a whirl, we salute you. Let us know how it goes. Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.