Lawsuit forces Microsoft to stay mum about Xbox Live status
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 14th 2008 3:32PM
posted January 14th 2008 3:32PM
It looks like we won't be seeing another barrage of Xbox Live status updates like we saw in the past few weeks anytime soon, at least as long as that little lawsuit is going on down in Texas. That unfortunate word comes from none other than Major Nelson, who said in his podcast that Microsoft can no longer update gamers on the situation due to "legal issues." Those constraints apparently even extend as far as the Major's Twitter page, leaving gamers in the dark in the event of yet another Xbox Live outage. In case you missed it, the lawsuit in Texas was filed after the outage in December by three disgruntled gamers, who claim that Microsoft knew activity would be at a peak during that time of year but "failed to provide adequate access and service to Xbox Live and its subscribers." No word on any progress in that suit just yet, but we're guessing that Microsoft and Xbox users alike are hoping it gets wrapped up as soon as possible.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy, thanks Jonathan]
Update: Microsoft may not be saying much about any future Xbox Live problems, but it is getting more specific about the free Xbox Live game its offering as a way of saying sorry. The game itself is Undertow, and it'll be available for download to Gold and Silver members starting next Wednesday at 2:00AM PST. Thankfully, according to Major Nelson, those that have already spent their hard earned points on the game can contact customer support who'll "take care of you." Just don't dally too long, as the free game will only be available though next Sunday.
Ok so My Xbox Live, has not been the same since Christmas. I have not been able to play online at all, and yes I have a Gold Service. Downloads, forget about it, it times out or just locks up. I contacted Xbox, and yes they told me the same thing, the service is being overwhelmed right now and they told me just to try different times. So no access to New Released Movies every Tuesday, so I just PPV them on Direct TV. No Downloading Game Videos, so I just go to gametrailers.com and watch them. Xbox support told me just to not download any big games, to try and keep it small. They did tell me that I would be getting a free Xbox Live Game, but they didn't know when and what game.
So the BIG Question...Would there every had been a lawsuit if Xbox Live were Free?? I don't think so. I don't think you can sue over a service that is free. So I think as long as Xbox charges for its service, which I think they always will, there will always be people who get upset and get Lawsuit happy. Am I upset that I haven't been able to use the service they way I have been in the past...Yes I am upset that everything has slowed down, but would I want to do something that would make the service function even in a more broken way..NO. Let Microsoft fix the service so we can all get back to the service we enjoy. I recommend you all listen to the i-tunes podcast show #261 where e breaks it down for you under Major Nelsons Podcast.
The lawsuit is just LAME. The ONLY people that win are the lawyer's!!! People get crapola in class action lawsuits. The Lawyer's get Millions, and everyone else get a coupon Discount on the next thing they buy from that same company. That's pretty much what happens in these cases. The Red Ring problem is something more logical to file a class action then LIVE having some problems. We all were going to get a FREE arcade game, but now with this, forget about that ever happening.
I've been playing on LIVE and it hasn't been all that bad. A few minor problems. This isn't something to SUE over, like any other service, you call the company and request a refund for service that you didn't get. MS then can either give you your $4.17 for the month, or give you a free month. Problem solved.
NOTHING is this world made by man works 100% of the time. It's just not possible!!!
The lawsuit is just LAME. The ONLY people that win are the lawyer's!!! People get crapola in class action lawsuits. The Lawyer's get Millions, and everyone else get a coupon Discount on the next thing they buy from that same company. That's pretty much what happens in these cases. The Red Ring problem is something more logical to file a class action then LIVE having some problems. We all were going to get a FREE arcade game, but now with this, forget about that ever happening.
I've been playing on LIVE and it hasn't been all that bad. A few minor problems. This isn't something to SUE over, like any other service, you call the company and request a refund for service that you didn't get. MS then can either give you your $4.17 for the month, or give you a free month. Problem solved.
NOTHING is this world made by man works 100% of the time. It's just not possible!!!