Consumerist: Halo

Microsoft Sends Free Swag To The Gamer Whose XBox 360 Artwork They Destroyed

Ben Popken — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:14:50 EDT

Remember that video game fan who sent in for repair an XBOX covered in all sorts of priceless art, along with the express instructions for it not to be washed? And then it was washed? Well, he already got a nice box of goodies from Bungie, but now Microsoft has stepped up and sent him their own prize package which includes a faceplate signed by Bill Gates. Nothing like a frag marathon officially endorsed by the second-wealthiest man in the world! Woohoo, game on!

Microsoft Finally Makes Things Right [hawtymcbloggy] (Thanks to Michael!)

Bungie Sent All This Free Swag To The Gamer Whose XBox 360 Artwork Microsoft Destroyed

Carey — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:30:32 EST

Remember Nathanial? Microsoft's repair center senseless erased the valuable signatures and cool artwork he had painstakingly collected on his XBox 360. When Bungie, the maker of Halo, saw what happened, they wanted to help—even though they had nothing to do with the calamity. They decided to ship Nathanial an awesome swag bag stuffed with signature-adorned freebies.

The bag contained:

Legendary Edition Helmet signed by most-if not all-of the studio staff
Halo 3 Soundtrack (two disc) signed by Marty O'Donnel (with "DO NOT ERASE!" written under his name)
Bungie Jacket
Bungie T-Shirt
Halo 3 Messenger Bag
Two Halo 3 Limited Edition Wireless Controllers (one covenant, one human)
Halo 3 Faceplate and Skins for Xbox 360
Four McFarlane Action Figures (MC, EVA Spartan, Brute Chieftan, Jackal Sniper)
Halo Actionclix Preview pack (Target exclusive sticker on the front)
Halo Actionclix Game Pack 4
Halo 3 Wall Graffix
Halo 3: Ghosts of Onyx Novel
Halo Graphic Novel
Halo 3 Wristband
Halo 3 Hackeysack

Nathanial is quite satisfied. In a letter to the gaming community he wrote, in part:

And finally, to the staff of Bungie Studios:
I cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of support that you have lavished upon me in the aftermath of the release of my story. Long have I known of your dedication to your fans and community, but I find this single act of kindness mind boggling. Apart from the fact that a few of you had signatures adorning my console, you had no involvement in what occurred. As such, you have far surpassed any response I could have anticipated. I don't think I could ever repay you for this.

Thank you all for what you have done for me. I wish each and every one of you continued success in your future endeavors.

P.S. Marty, I love the soundtrack, and I promise you that I will do as you've requested and not erase any of it.

Thanks, Bungie, for showing us that gaming isn't just about blasting apart marauding alien invaders. No, it's about heart, too.

Nathanial's full letter and more pictures of the swag are posted on Hawty McBloggy.

Bungie Unscrews Previously Screwed Gamer [Hawty McBloggy]
PREVIOUSLY: Microsoft Scrubs All The Valuable Signatures And Artwork Off Your XBOX 360 Case

Best Buy: Video Games Are Not Toys

Carey — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:45:38 EST

Best Buy told Rob that his coupon for 25% off three toys did not apply to video games because video games are not toys. Sad and confused, Rob went home and searched for "toy" on Best Buy's website. Hop across the jump to see what appeared. What a coincidence, two video games and a console.

Rob writes:

BestBuy has a rewardszone coupon for 10% of 1 toy, 15% off 2 toys and 25% off 3 toys. See attached coupon. Went to my local Best Buy in Bridgewater NJ and attempted to use the coupon on a Xbox 360 and 2 games for the system. I was told by multiple rude employees that an Xbox 360 is a video console and not a toy. A search on BestBuy's website for the item "toy" shows Halo 3 as the 1st item. Also further down the list it shows the Xbox 360 unit.

How is a video game not a toy? I called Best Buy corporate office and was told same thing. I was told a doll is a toy. Didn't know Best Buy was in the doll selling business. Then I was told that if it is an electronic game for a child 12 and under it is a toy. Doesn't seem like Best Buy has any clue what a toy is. As you can see from the attached pdf file no were in the exclusions on the coupon does it state Video Game Consoles.

Got to love Best Buy making up rules that only suit themselves.

We are fine print sticklers. Companies pay plenty for in-house lawyers trained in the art of strangling consumers with fine print. They don't cut us a break when we want an item excluded from a promotion. Why shouldn't we hold them to the same standard? Best Buy may distinguish between games and toys on their website, but the coupon does not define toys or exclude games.

Game Over.

Halo 3 Discs Arrive Pre-Scratched

Ben Popken — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:55:49 EDT

Eager fans today cracked open the hot new video game Halo 3, only to discover that their game discs were already scratched. It seems in their midst of preparing for a global launch with mondo cross-promotion, Microsoft forgot to check they didn't use the the DVD holders with the defective nubs.

The weak nubs allowed the DVDs to float around and get all scraped.

Reader Mr. Chip Livejournals that 3 out the 4 he opened in Walmart, which were of the fancy metal tin "collector's edition" variety, were scratched upon opening. That's $70 for a game that's already scratched. PC World says the scratches are cosmetic and you can still play the game just fine, but wants to buy a "new" scratched video game?

If your Halo 3 is scratched, you can get it swapped out for a shiny new one under the Xbox disc replacement program.

Wal-Mart Manager Admits He'd Rather Sell Defective Copies of Halo 3 Than Let Me Find Undamaged One [Mr. Chip]

Dell Sends You Halo 3 Slightly Early

Meg Marco — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:58:17 EDT

Reader pr0zac would like the world to know that Dell sent him Halo 3 slightly early. He'd like to thank Dell (and DHL) and apologize to everyone who has to wait, um, a couple hours.

Is breaking street date good customer service? Well, probably not, but Mr. pr0zac sure is happy about Dell's prompt shipping.

Net Neutrality as Told By Gun Wielding Halo Maniacs

popkin — Tue, 09 May 2006 14:14:43 EDT

Here's a funny window into the issue of net neutrality, depicted by characters from the shoot-em-up smash hit, Halo, spotted here.

The clip comes from the Halo Machinima talk show, This Spartan Life.

Don't let the ISPs chop up whats free and open, structure it into tiers and then sell it back to you at a premium. Fight back with plasma grenades.

Net neutrality: it's the 21st century Tragedy of the Commons, except for no good reason.

Previously: