Microsoft offers free game to faulty Xbox One owners

By David Nield November 26, 2013

microsoft offers free game faulty xbox one owners — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft may have sold 1 million Xbox Ones in the first 24 hours of it being on sale, but the launch hasn’t gone completely without a hitch. As we reported earlier, some users are hearing grinding noises when loading discs, and now Microsoft has acknowledged the problem. Anyone affected can get a free game and a replacement console once they’ve reported the error.

“The issue is affecting a very small number of Xbox One customers,” Microsoft told CNET. “We’re working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers.”

You can get your hands on Forza Motorsport 5, Dead Rising, Ryse or Zoo Tycoon if your console’s disc drive is making unhealthy noises and refusing to play any games. Once you’ve reported the issue to Microsoft, you should get your replacement Xbox One within a matter of days. The free game can be downloaded digitally (and played without using the disc drive).

Head to the Xbox website, contact @XboxSupport on Twitter or just shout “Xbox Help” at your black box to get assistance from Microsoft. The company hasn’t released exact figures for the number of people affected by the drive grinding problem, though it doesn’t appear to be particularly widespread.

On the other side of the console battlefield, Sony is having a few teething problems of its own: The company has issued a statement confirming that around 0.4 percent of console owners are experiencing issues. Considering the PS4 matched the Xbox One with opening day sales of 1m, several thousand users are likely to be affected.

For the PS4, there are several issues that are reoccurring, rather than one specific problem: Various users have reported a blue line of death (boot-up problems) and a red line of death (overheating problems). Contact Sony for details of how to obtain a repaired or replacement console if you are experiencing problems.

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Dave is a freelance journalist from Manchester in the north-west of England. He's been writing about technology since the…

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